Michael Lockshin is a film director. He is both American and Russian. (Interesting story.) He is my latest guest on Q&A: here. Mr. Lockshin has made a movie out of The Master and Margarita, Bulgakov’s classic novel. The movie is wildly popular in Russia. It is wildly unpopular with the Kremlin. The authorities have denounced Michael Lockshin and his movie, vitriolically (even as they did Bulgakov, in an earlier time).

The Master and Margarita is about artists under dictatorship (among other things). Kremlin officials see themselves in the movie, obviously. Mr. Lockshin and his peers can see themselves in the movie, too, unfortunately. Many artists have been arrested; many have gone into exile.

I will have more to say about Michael Lockshin and The Master and Margarita in a piece. But, again, to hear our Q&A, go here. Issues both timely and timeless are discussed. Bulgakov’s novel is a masterpiece. And Lockshin’s movie is astounding. It may become a classic, who knows? Last night, I talked with a young Russian woman in New York whose mother had seen the movie (in Russia). Her mother was unusually moved by the experience. People all over the country have felt the same.

The book means a lot to Russians. And the movie adaptation has appeared at a very, very interesting juncture.