Stalin's Sickle

Stalin’s Sickle takes suburban paranoia to unexpected places, as nine-year-old Daniel imagines that his neighbour is feared Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. Costa Botes' short film is set in a 1960s era of Cold War conservatism. Daniel (Stacey Adams) spots the South Seas Stalin at church, spies on him to confirm his suspicions and schemes to send him on his way. But Daniel’s civil defence plan goes awry, leaving him with a worse threat to deal with. Based on a short story by Michael Morrissey, the film won a Jury Prize at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival in France. Botes writes about the film's journey here.