Téma

Two distinguished men of letters set off, naturally in a dark Volga car, to the countryside. They, of course, go to a cottage (complete with a color TV and a telephone). Rows of awards and public respect are a given, as are honorary memberships in artistic organizations. One of the men is already looking forward to a meeting with the bottle, to a comfortable bourgeois life in the socialist country, which has triumphed over a challenging time of uncertainty, and the time of effort and growth is far behind them, like the war. The other has not forgotten that there used to be something more within him, and he suspects that the root of life has not yet completely grown over with comfortable job security. It is a typical Russian example - beneath the sarcastic and bitter shell washed with vodka and resignation, dissatisfaction boils. He tries to find a way out (back), and whether it is initially curiosity, it then becomes vanity, and maybe eventually love - the attempt plays out through his muse. It is more so an intimate film, but one that hides more than it seems (for example, a total of 4 types of artist life – the conformist, who creates for a living; the "martyr" who is willing to sacrifice himself or his social status for his art (here, a peasant poet); and the uncompromising but proud artist, who wants to celebrate his work and himself (here, a gravedigger-emigrant). Finally, there is the main character, consciously or unconsciously striving for quality work and recognition, and as the typically Russian optimistic ending shows, it is impossible to reconcile all things...). (2014.06.23)