Kotov in the movie has a very plump image. He participated in the revolution, was a hero in the early days of creating a society, and was a comrade-in-arms who fought side by side with Stalin. He is brave, loyal, loving the motherland, and full of affinity and appeal. Although he struggled to fit into the middle-class world of his wife's family, he was widely loved for his charisma and heroic status. He is proud of his friendship with Stalin, and his photo with Stalin has been placed in a prominent position on the desk and on the wall. But this "friend" gave him power and glory, and led him to the point of no return. He ended up being the victim of the political struggle and the object of being purged. But the tragedy of Kotov was not caused by Stalin alone, he was also a participant and a builder in it. He enjoys the admiration of people, enjoys being a privileged class, and uses power to interfere in the lives of Midia and Marusa. When other generals were beaten as counter-revolutionaries and killed, he also chose to stay silent. He was the leader of the "Chika", an organization specializing in fighting counter-revolutionaries, but in the end he couldn't escape the fate of being overthrown and purged.
Midya is also a type of character. The fallen aristocrat turned into a Soviet secret policeman, but he was not as thoroughly brainwashed as other people. He was always in trouble with his conscience, and he did not dare to resist because of his cowardice. Taking over the task of arresting Kotov was the last straw that broke him. Choosing to commit suicide is something that could have been foreseen long ago.
The middle class acts as a bystander in this film, but the death of the wayfarer at the end of the film also makes it clear that they will not have a happy ending. Wanting to understand will always lead to disaster, but they are not willing to be outsiders.
In the film, the three images of broadcasting, scorching sun ball and Stalin balloon also represent the overall political atmosphere. The whole film is loose in shape but not dissipated. The sad and slow tone is a bloody fact. After watching it, I feel a lot of emotions.
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