The Death of Stalin Page #16

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I haven't sat down since he died.

He was too big. You have to stand.

BERIA:

(what?)

Yes.

Beria signals “no”. The NKVD man leaves with the chair.

SVETLANA:

Do you remember Yuri?

BERIA:

(no)

I remember everyone. It’s a gift.

SVETLANA:

I loved him.

BERIA:

(suddenly remembers)

Yuri Zhednov! Yes, special to you,

I know. Some unsuitable associates.

Tragic, really. I’m so sorry.

SVETLANA:

I want you to bring him back.

20 May 2016 Draft 10 83.

BERIA:

(are you mad?)

But, my chick, how?

SVETLANA:

You brought Molotov’s wife back.

BERIA:

She was... I'd kept her.....

SVETLANA:

You’re returning so many people to

their homes. I want ONE person. Is

that really too much?

A beat.

BERIA:

For you, I will attempt the

impossible.

He opens his arms to her. She awkwardly steps into them.

SVETLANA:

Thank you.

BERIA:

I hate seeing you sad.

SVETLANA:

(awkward)

I hate that you hate seeing me sad.

They hug awkwardly.

129 INT. HALL OF COLUMNS - DAY 129

The crowd files past the coffin: ordinary citizens mingle

with representatives from nations and regions carrying

demarcated floral tributes. Andreyev and Sergei supervise the

music from a balcony.

130 ARCHIVE MATERIAL 5. 130

FOOTAGE OF DELEGATIONS, FLORAL TRIBUTES, CEREMONIES ALL OVER

SOVIET UNION, QUEUES, PEOPLE COMING UP STAIRS.

131 INT. HALL OF COLUMNS - DAY 131

OUR FOOTAGE of the committee: Molotov, Kaganovich, Bulganin,

Khrushchev, Malenkov, Beria and, closest to the public,

Mikoyan, who's crying. A large wreath nearly brushes his

face. He sneezes. A film crew is recording.

20 May 2016 Draft 10 84.

MIKOYAN:

(sotto)

F***ing pollen. They should make

gas bombs with this stuff.

Molotov, sobbing heavily, looks across, sees him.

MOLOTOV:

I know. I know...

The wreaths and bouquets are getting absurdly big. One - with

the message "From the grieving people of Uzbekistan" on it -

only just fits through the large double doorway.

BERIA:

(to Malenkov)

I think that's actually larger than

the region itself.

Malenkov’s little involuntary laugh. Molotov sees,

disapproves.

MALENKOV:

(chiding Beria)

Inappropriate.

The Uzbek bouquet makes its way past. On the staircase, some

mitres bobbing up and down, some very worn. A group of

ORTHODOX BISHOPS approaching in full regalia.

Shocked whispers from committee members. Not Beria.

MALENKOV (CONT’D)

No!

KAGANOVICH:

Jesus Christ! It's the bishops!

KHRUSHCHEV:

What are these bastards doing at MY

F***ING FUNERAL?

BULGANIN:

Did I dream the last 36 years? Are

we doing the revolution again from

the START?

MIKOYAN:

The Church belongs where we left

it. In a ditch.

MOLOTOV:

Tell Mikoyan to sneeze on the

bastards as they go past.

KHRUSHCHEV:

(to Malenkov)

Did you invite them?

20 May 2016 Draft 10 85.

MALENKOV:

No!

KHRUSHCHEV:

Ask Beria if it was him.

MALENKOV:

Don’t order me around.

(to Bulganin)

Ask Beria if he invited the f***ing

bishops.

BULGANIN:

(to Beria)

Did you invite the f***ing bishops?

BERIA:

Yes.

Bulganin turns back, chewing over Beria’s answer.

KHRUSHCHEV:

Well?

Bulganin nods to Malenkov.

MALENKOV:

Yes. He did.

KHRUSHCHEV:

I'm going to give everyone in Red

Square a voucher permitting one

kick each to his stupid face.

BERIA:

(to Bulganin)

Is he asking for more delicious

hay?

BULGANIN:

No. He said something quite

complicated about a voucher system.

KHRUSHCHEV:

This is rehabili... Listen to me!

This is rehabilitation of the most

counter revolutionary elements! He

can't do that without the

committee.

MALENKOV:

(taking over from

Bulganin)

He says you can't do it without the

committee. Which is true...

20 May 2016 Draft 10 86.

BERIA:

(interrupting)

I can cancel house arrests under

article 31.

Malenkov realises he is right.

MALENKOV:

(to Khrushchev)

He can in fact cancel house arrests

under article 31.

The camera crew is on them again. They all look as solemn as

they can. The bishops pass the coffin, making the sign of the

cross.

KHRUSHCHEV:

(to Malenkov)

Tell him that I... Actually,

swap... swap...

MALENKOV:

No!

KHRUSHCHEV:

Swap!

MALENKOV:

No!

KHRUSHCHEV:

We can make it look like it's part

of the ceremony.

A dignified Khrushchev steps forward. Malenkov motionless,

staring at NAVY OFFICERS struggling to get a too-high wreath

through the door.

The officers back up, then advance solemnly in a squatting

position. The wreath low enough to go through but still too

wide. Khrushchev eases back into line.

BERIA:

(whispers to Khrushchev)

If only someone had checked...

The navy officers back up again with the wreath, then walk in

with it sideways and squatting.

Suddenly, an angry voice, away from the crowd. Vasily, in

full uniform, drunk, trying to get to the coffin. Arguing

with SENIOR NKVD OFFICERS, one of whom has a loudhailer.

VASILY:

They're murderers! Murderers! Give

me your loudhailer!...

20 May 2016 Draft 10 87.

From their balcony, Andreyev and Sergei see Vasily. Sergei

turns up a dial and the music grows louder.

BERIA:

(whispers to Khrushchev)

Did you forget to give him his

sedatives?

VASILY:

...If you don't hand it over I'll

shove it so far up your arse your

farts will deafen Moscow!

(to Committee)

...I KNOW YOU KILLED MY FATHER!

KHRUSHCHEV:

(whispers to Bulganin)

Tell them to get the steel workers.

(to Malenkov)

We have to go!...

The whisper goes from Bulganin to Kaganovich to Molotov to

Tarasov, who hurries off.

Vasily, now restrained, getting louder.

VASILY:

I WILL AVENGE MY FATHER, YOU

BUTTONED-UP SACKS OF SH*T!

Some of the crowd are starting to notice. Sergei raises the

volume a bit more.

ANDREYEV:

Don't record this!

132 INT. HALL OF COLUMNS - WAITING ROOM - DAY 132

A group of STEEL WORKERS chat and smoke, putting on new

overalls and caps bearing the hammer and sickle. Some have

medals.

Tarasov runs in.

TARASOV:

Quick! We need you now! NOW!

The steel workers are confused - they're not ready.

TARASOV (CONT’D)

Are you actually made of steel?

Now! Move!

The NKVD bundle them outside as, frenzied, they put out

cigarettes, haul on jackets and, in one case, trousers.

20 May 2016 Draft 10 88.

133 INT. HALL OF COLUMNS - DAY 133

The steel workers emerge in a rush, trying to look dignified.

Some are still hopping along, getting dressed.

Vasily struggling with officers. One has his hand over

Vasily's mouth. A bite - ouch - he lets go.

Beria, over his shoulder, sees the steel workers approach.

KHRUSHCHEV:

Move, you hairy-assed sluggards!

They all turn to go. The manoeuvre turns into hesitant chaos.

Molotov’s in front.

VASILY:

Liars and revisionists! You killed

Stalin!

Molotov sets off and the others follow him. He's not setting

a fast enough pace - those at the back bunch up.

MOLOTOV:

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