Fisiologija Roeskoi zjizni

There are not many scientists whose name lives on in expressions. Ivan Petrovich Pavlov is one of the few. His name can still be heard almost daily when somebody spots a typical 'Pavlov-reaction'. Fisiologija roeskoi zjizni does not only deal with this Russian scientist's life, but also, and particularly, pays attention to the historical context. Chosen by Stalin as one of his favourite scientists, Pavlov allowed his research results to be simplified and manipulated by the Communist regime. Did he get entangled in the Communist ideology or was he really convinced of the ideal state? The remark the 87-year-old Pavlov made shortly before his death in 1935 gives rise to the assumption that he was a believer: "My life has been full of experiments. Our government is also an experimenter, but of much higher class. I long for living to see the triumphant completion of this experiment." The latter did not fall on deaf ears with Stalin. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)