Susan Doukas Movies
- 2004
In 1919, two years after the Russian Revolution made him one of the most powerful men in the world, Joseph Stalin wed 18-year-old Nadezhda Alliluyev, the daughter of a close friend. Fourteen years later, Nadezhda was dead, with a bullet in her head and a gun in her hand. Did ruthless Stalin arrange for the death of his wife, or did she commit suicide, a possible consequence of learning the full and deadly extend of her husband's tyranny? And what was the nature of their relationship, and Nadezhda's role in Stalin's political life? Stalin's Wife is a documentary which presents most of the known facts about Nadezhda Alliluyev, as well as some of the more interesting suppositions about her and her life -- including the suggestion that Stalin may have had an affair with her mother, or that Stalin, smitten with Nadezhda, may have stolen away from the Russian Revolution to spend time with her. Stalin's Wife was directed by Slava Tsukerman, best known for the offbeat new wave sci-fi comedy Liquid Sky. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Smallwood, Susan Doukas, (more)
- 1982
- R
A glitzy updating of Andy Warhol's Trash with aliens, this campy, stylish, but ultimately depressing film is one of the most keenly observed portraits of New York's early '80s downtown new wave scene. Anne Carlisle, who co-wrote the script, is terrific in a dual role as the wan lesbian Margaret and her arrogant gay nemesis, Jimmy. Tiny space aliens see Margaret shooting up and choose her to feed their heroin-like addiction to a substance produced in the human brain during sexual climax. Her partners end up vaporized, but since most of them treat her like dirt, Margaret doesn't mind. Meanwhile, a German scientist (Otto von Wernherr) has been tracking the plate-sized alien craft and observes it from the apartment of a horny Jewish woman (Susan Doukas); all the while, he is oblivious to her comic frustration and increasingly blatant sexual advances. Despite the sci-fi elements, considerable humor, cool music, and a gorgeous production design, this is really a film about desperation and ugliness. Other than Von Wernherr and Doukas -- who are outside the punk scene -- the characters all loathe themselves and treat each other horribly. Most of their sex involves rape, and when they die, each seems to be better off. Perhaps the bitter aftertaste of this film explains why it never really caught on as a midnight movie, but it is a dark gem and well worth seeing. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anne Carlisle, Paula Sheppard, (more)
- 1971
A drug addict seduces his lover into sharing his chemical joys and together they begin a wrenching downward spiral into destruction in this unflinching, well-wrought drama. Before getting hooked on speed, the woman had a successful career. But, despite the efforts of those who would help her, the couple cannot seem to kick their habit. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
