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A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Saturday 10 March 2018

'Veep' creator: I could never reach 'giddy heights' of Trump

By JAKE COYLE to think that they are super-
AP Film Writer human. When they find out
TORONTO (AP) — How dif- that they're human, that's
ferent was Stalin-era 1950s when things unravel. In 'The
Russia to the Washington Death of Stalin,' these are
D.C. of "Veep"? For "Veep"- people who think they're
creator Armando Iannucci, powerful and therefore
there were more similarities they're in complete control.
than you might think. It's fear of not having pow-
In his second feature film, er that drives them.
"The Death of Stalin," some AP: Where do you get your
quite funny people (Steve interest in the comedy of
Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor, politics?
Simon Russell Beale) play Iannucci: It affects every-
some of the more fear- thing you do. It's so impor-
inducing names in 20th tant. And therefore I'm
century history. When Sta- fascinated with how it hap-
lin dies, it's a mad rush for pens. That's it, really. But I
power (Buscemi's Nikita also want people to get
Khrushchev comes running that vague sense of find-
in his pajamas) and a race ing out how important it is.
for the mantle of 'reformer' When it goes wrong, it goes
after years of purges, mur- This image released by IFC Films shows, from left, Steve Buscemi, Adrian McLoughlin, Jeffrey Tam- very badly wrong. We have
ders and imprisonments. bor, Dermot Crowley and Simon Russell Beale in a scene from "The Death of Stalin." this golden view of democ-
Yet the satirical ballet of Associated Press racy. We think now that
hapless government striv- we've arrived at democ-
ers will be familiar to those interview. "But being out- it was announced in early sions impacted people on racy, it's going to stay here
who know Ianuncci's other side of power can mean September that the ac- the outside. There's no shy- forever. Well, no. Get it ever
farces ("In the Loop," ''The being dead, so there's that claimed HBO season will ing away from that. So you so slightly wrong, just tip it a
Thick of It"). It's just that the added tension. You don't end with its seventh season, do see people rounded up. slightly different way and
consequences for losing just retire and open up a li- he applauded David Man- People are killed. People you end up with authoritari-
step with the party line are brary. You're shot." del for "bringing her safely are taken away. And you anism and autocracy.
a tad direr. "The Death of Stalin," which home." never see those people AP: How do you think the
"If you say the wrong thing opened in theaters Friday, But while "Death of Stalin" again. So it was always Trump administration com-
or back the wrong per- is Iannucci's first post-"Veep" might be a kind of com- about going inside, behind pares to your political com-
son, you might be out of project. He departed after rade to "Veep," it also closed doors, and then go- edies?
power," said Iannucci in an the first four seasons. When charts a different path for ing outside and seeing the Iannucci: I don't think I
Iannucci. The movie, he effect of what's just hap- could ever reach the gid-
feels, resonates particu- pened. I wanted the audi- dy heights of the inspired
larly in the Donald Trump ence to feel a little bit of comedy and tragedy
era, and, more than any what every Russian must that's happening now in
of Iannucci's previous work, have felt on a daily basis: Washington. I mean, it's
connects insular political Will I get through the day? mesmerizing to watch but
maneuvering with its often AP: Do you think history it's also scary. For me, the
tragic results for the popu- remembers its figures too scariest thing about it is all
lace. seriously and soberly? The those people who were so
AP: This is a fairly brutal time Kremlin leaders of your film absolutely opposed to him
period for a comedy. are uncouth, petty and of- before he got elected, and
Iannucci: I was keen to ten thoughtless. then have just drifted away
make sure of that, yes, we Iannucci: They're human. and kept quiet. It goes
see these people and the They're not superhuman. back to: We've always got
decisions they make within And I think a lot of them are to be vigilant about de-
the Kremlin, but I also want- either deluded themselves mocracy because it can
ed to show how these deci- or are persuaded by others go wrong.q

Review: 'Stealing the Show'

applauds women in TV

By LINCEE RAY female role. In "Stealing Moore and Marlo Thomas
For the last 15 years, Joy the Show," Press chronicles who nudged male writers
Press has been writing the progress made and and producers to depict a
about television for pres- applauds the women who more accurate description
tigious media outlets. She are responsible for the of women. According to
had a front-row view dur- movement. The book be- “Stealing the Show,” they
ing television's Golden Age gins by highlighting female are the voices of the next
as strong, confident wom- pioneers in the industry. generation of television
en pushed boundaries to Press praises powerhouses who will shape future gen-
transform the traditional like Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler erations to come.q