The prospect of nuclear Armageddon was something of a taboo in post-WWII Soviet cinema, and throughout the years of the Cold War, and was not considered on film as frequently as in the West. The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 did not encourage authorities to ease restrictions on depictions of the negative side of the atomic age. As such, Konstantin Lopushansky’s film offers rare and valuable insight and perspective. Co-written by Boris Strugatsky, it follows a group of characters confined to post-apocalyptic life in underground bunkers. Nobel laureate Professor Larsen (Rolan Bykov), whose scientific knowledge has doomed him to a greater understanding of his predicament, takes care of his sick wife, keeping his sanity by writing letters to his missing son.

Admission to this screening of Dead Man’s Letters is free, but ticketed. 

Screening as part of the Fallout season. Multi-film passes available from the IFI Box Office: 3 for €30, 5 for €50, and 12 for €100.

Notes by Kevin Coyne.