EEER department hosts Director Michael Lockshin for screening of Master and Margarita

The Department hosted director Michael Lockshin for discussion after a screening of his new film adaptation of Bulgarov's novel the Master and Margarita where he discussed the difficulties and challenges faced adapting such a complex novel. One of the techniques used was looking at alternate drafts of the novel left behind by Bulgarov which aided their realization of a dystopian-futuristic Moscow that Bulgarov imagined, and perhaps never actually existed, but yet rings true. Mr. Lockshin also discussed some of the technical aspects of his craft, including learning CGI to aid in the creation of a mischevous cat who is a supporting character in the novel and the movie. A lively discussion ensued.

Professor Patyk's gave her description of the film's controversal Russian release last year, in the promotional materials for the showing:

The Master and Margarita caused a furor with its Russian release in 2024. The riveting fantasy-drama is set in the 1930s during the crescendo of Stalin's Great Terror when a mysterious Professor of Black Magic (aka Satan) wreaks havoc in Moscow, but Russian audiences immediately perceived the parallels with Vladimir Putin's repression of the political and cultural opposition in the present. While the film became a box-office hit and the 7^th highest grossing film in Russia of all time, the director has faced tremendous backlash from regime propagandists, attacks in the Russian parliament, and death threats.

After the end of the talk, Mr. Lockshin ultimately expressed his hopes that the film will make an American release via streaming or traditional art house cinema. But for now, Dartmouth was thrilled to have the opportunity for this private showing on February 26th 2025. Co-sponsored by the Leslie Center for the Humanities.