Death of Mikhail Gorbachev: a special evening on Arte this Wednesday

A great actor in contemporary history has left us. Mikhail Gorbachevis died on Tuesday August 30 at the age of 91 in Russia. “Today in the evening (Tuesday), after a long serious illness, Mikhail Gorbachev died“, announced the hospital dependent on the Russian presidency. A disappearance at a time when the East / West divide is reactivated with the War in Ukraine. It is difficult not to see the death of the man who did everything to democratize his country as a symbol. Several foreign heads of state paid tribute to the politician. Emmanuel Macron thanked him for “his commitment to peace in Europe” and described it as “a man of peace whose choices opened a path to freedom for Russians” in a tweet.

Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?

He marked the history of the 20th century with a bold policy. Mikhail Gorbachev led the USSR from 1985 to 1991 with one ambition: to modernize the country. When he came to power at 54, he represented a new generation within the Communist Party. He embarked on structural policies in order to reform the Russian economy in depth. But by wanting to democratize the USSR, he will lead it, in reality, to its downfall.. The country’s economy is slowly collapsing. In 1991, a coup d’etat broke out. The architect of perestroika was removed from power by Boris Yeltsin, who then became the first president of the Russian Federation. It’s here fall of the USSR. In 1990, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to the end of the Cold War. Great craftsman of the East/West rapprochement or gravedigger of the USSR? Hated by some Russians, adored by Westerners, Mikhail Gorbachev will remain a man of paradox.

Arte pays tribute to him this Wednesday, August 31

Whatever one thinks of his role, he will remain a key man in our contemporary history. It is for this reason that Arte reacted. The Franco-German channel decided at the last minute to devote its evening of Wednesday August 31 to the last leader of the USSR. At 8:55 p.m., Gorbachev – Aside will be rebroadcast. In this documentary directed by Vitaly Mansky, the former Soviet leader takes stock of his political situation. What remains of his 6 years at the head of the Soviet empire? We also discover the father of perestroika in his intimacy. Shot in 2020, the film shows a nonagenarian marked by illness. The film The nun, worn by Pauline Étienne, Isabelle Huppert and Louise Bourgoin, gives way to the Russian politician this Wednesday evening on Arte. No information concerning the re-programming of the opus has been communicated.