Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Mocking contemporaneity is acceptable, according to most of respondents, but one should not mock the history! 

MOSCOW, February 19, 2018. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the results of a study concerning the release of ‘The Death of Stalin’ in Russia.

‘The Death of Stalin’ released in cinemas worldwide in 2017 has become well-known in Russia; 65% of Russians have heard about it, including 14% of those who intentionally sought information about it; 3% say they have seen it.  The level of awareness is higher among older respondents (74% of those aged 60 and over), residents of Moscow and St Petersburg  (76%) than among young persons (54% of the 18-24-year-olds) and among  rural inhabitants (60%).

The movie became widely known because of the ban to be shown in the Russian cinemas and the mockery of Stalin. Remarkably, most of Russians consider that the Russian history and historical figures should not be subject of mockery (70% and 64%, respectively, think so).  

Those Russians who have heard something, who know something or who have seen the movie assess the decision of the Russian Ministry ambiguously: 30% support it (37% of the 45-59-yer-olds), 35% oppose it (a further 35% fail to provide an answer). If the movie comes out, 58% are more likely to see it.

The VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on February 9-10, 2018. The survey involved 2,000 Russians aged 18 and over, and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Have you heard/is it the first time you hear about the movie “The Death of Stalin” released in 2017?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents 

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

I know, I saw this movie

3

1

2

3

4

4

I know, I was interested in it but I did not see it

14

11

14

11

16

16

I heard something but I do not know any details

48

42

42

44

50

54

This is the first time I hear about this movie

35

46

42

42

30

26

Tell us what you know/have heard about this movie?

 (open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who was interested in this movie but did not watch it)

 

Total respondents 

I only know the title/ I know there is such movie

12

It was banned in Russia 

12

Mockery/ derision of Stalin

7

I heard about the movie in the media/I watched a trailer/ads

6

Movie about life and death of Stalin

6

Negative attitudes towards Stalin. It should not be shown

5

Comedy/ parody /satire

5

It caused a stir in Russia/This movie got different reviews in Russia  

5

The movie distorts facts about Stalin

4

Foreign movie/famous actors

3

I know nothing/I did not see it

2

About Stalin’s times

2

Positive attitudes towards movie. It can be shown

2

It is based on real events /true

2

Other

2

Don’t know

38

In your opinion, what is acceptable to mock at, and what is not acceptable under any circumstances ?(closed-ended question, one answer per each line, % of all respondents)

 

It is acceptable to mock

It is not acceptable to mock

Don’t know

Church

12

82

6

History of Russia, USSR, Russian Empire

22

70

8

National specifics and traditions of different peoples  

26

65

9

Russian historical personalities who are not alive

26

64

10

Army, Russian armed forces

32

62

6

Russian economic and social problems

53

38

9

Ruling power

54

37

9

In January, the Russian Ministry of Culture banned ‘The Death of Stalin’ from being shown in cinemas. Are you more likely to support or to oppose this decision?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who saw the movie/was interested/heard something about the movie)

 

Total respondents 

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Likely to support

30

18

22

24

37

34

Likely to oppose

35

46

39

31

33

36

Don’t know

35

36

39

45

30

30

If ‘The Death of Stalin’ comes out any time soon, will you go and see it or not?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who did not see the movie)

 

Total respondents 

Aged  18-24

Aged  25-34

Aged  35-44

Aged  45-59

Aged  60 and more

Definitely yes

22

18

15

20

20

31

Rather yes

36

38

42

41

35

29

Rather not

15

24

19

13

14

11

Definitely not

17

12

14

16

19

19

Don’t know

10

8

10

10

12

10

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

Read the article in Russian