"To Die For" by M Elias, after Nikolai Erdman

“To Die For” is a darkly comic social satire set in Soviet Russia, based on the 1928 play ‘The Suicide‘ by Nikolai Erdman. It revolves around Semyon, an unemployed man who decides to end his life. However, his announcement attracts a group of self-serving individuals who exploit his situation for their own gain. Semyon’s wife, mother-in-law, friends, and neighbors manipulate him, perceiving him as a martyr or revolutionary symbol. Through satire and absurdity, the play critiques the hypocrisy and opportunism of Soviet society. It delves into themes of desperation, the devaluation of human life, and the moral bankruptcy of a society that profits from tragedy, offering a scathing portrayal of the era.