Plot
In 1946, a soldier fathers a child then dies before its birth. Jump to 1952: on a train, the child and his mother meet a handsome soldier who makes a play for her. She accepts. Posing as a married family, the soldier finds them a rooming house where he becomes everyone's favorite through his good looks and generosity. Meanwhile he gives the boy, Sanya, lessons in life: to fight back, to win at all costs. The child's mother, Katya, is head-over-heels in love with Tolyan, the soldier, but the relationship becomes rocky when Tolyan's true plans for the rooming house become clear. It starts them on a treadmill of flight that risks Katya's life, Tolyan's liberty, and Sanya's trust.
Written by
Pavel Chukhray
Directed by
Pavel Chukhray
Crew
Production Countries
France, Russia
Production Companies
Russian State Committee for Cinematography, Roissy Films, NTV-Profit, CNC, Canal+, Productions Le Pont
Languages
Awards
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 14 wins & 12 nominations total