Filmmaker Michael Lockshin was about to begin editing his adaptation of Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov's beloved novel "The Master and Margarita" when Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago. Lockshin knew immediately he wouldn't return to Russia, where he grew up, as he spoke out against the war and Russian President Vladimir Putin. His film, starring August Diehl, Claes Bang, Evgeniy Tsyganov and Yulia Snigir, was released in January without his name on it and topped the Russian box office. State propagandists have since attacked him and the film, which is seeking a new international distributor. Lockshin spoke with The Associated Press in Los Angeles about the irony of the backlash to the film, how everyday Russian audiences are responding — and his pessimism about the future of the arts in the country. #MichaelLockshin #themasterandmargarita #interview #entertainment #russia

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