The Inner Circle (1991)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Andrei Konchalovsky

Synopsis: Film projectionist Ivan Sanshin (Tom Hulce) is ecstatic when he is given the honor of screening films for Stalin, giving him unprecedented insight into the workings of the inner circle of Russia’s leaders during World War II and beyond but also causing friction at home when Ivan upholds his loyalty even while those around him become victims of the crushing regime.

Kitty Cameo: In the block apartments where Ivan lives with his new bride Anastasia (Lolita Davidovich) there are several residents, including Aaron and Sonia Gubelman (Aleksandr Lipkov and Lyubov Matyushina) and their young daughter Katya (Vera Ekroimova). As Anastasia prepares for her wedding celebration party in the communal kitchen, a longhair tabby cat which belongs to the Guberman’s saunters by. A neighbor named Vasily (Aleksandr Garin) even comments to Sonia how everything the Gubelman’s own is foreign, “Even the cat!”

The Inner Circle - longhair tabby cat in communal kitchen with Anastasia Lolita Davidovich and Vasily Aleksandr Garin

Later the cat approaches from outside the building and enters the open window of Ivan’s apartment where the party is in full swing.

The Inner Circle - longhair tabby cat outside window of party attended by Gubelmans

The Inner Circle - longhair tabby cat outside window of party animated gif

That night Aaron Gubelman is taken away and the next morning finds Sonia and Katya sitting in their apartment with the cat seated nearby.

The Inner Circle - longhair tabby cat on chair with Sonia Lyubov Matyshina and Katya Vera Ekroimova

Ivan enters to offer his help to them, pointing out that he has connections, but he quickly abandons any attempt to assist the family in fear of being too closely connected with them.

The Inner Circle - Ivan Tom Hulce entering room with longhair tabby cat on chair and Sonia Lyubov Matyshina with Katya Vera Ekroimova

This leads to even more moral dilemmas when Sonia is also arrested and the social workers come to collect Katya. Vasily is giving the workers a rundown of everything the Gubelman’s owned and includes the cat, although the kitty has now taken up residence with their elderly neighbor Professor Bartnev (Feodor Chaliapin Jr.).