Tatyana Doronina Movies

The literal translation of this title is "Three Poplars." Anna is married to a farmer and the couple have two young children in this comedy drama. She is sent to Moscow to sell some hams, and she stays with her sister-in-law Nina. Nina warns the naive country girl of the pitfalls of the big city, and with a warning not to spend more than a certain amount on cab fare, Anna waits for a ride. The cab driver is charmed by Anna's simple, naive ways and asks her to meet him later. The two go to the movies and Anna returns to Nina who is talking about divorcing her husband. Anna has agreed to meet the cab driver later. She watches him from the apartment window as he refuses fares in hopes of seeing the beautiful Anna once again. She is torn between meeting with the driver and returning to the family in this feature where provincial innocence collides with urban cynicism. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

A group of former soldiers try to rebuild their homes and their lives in the wake of World War II in this drama produced in the Soviet Union. Leonid (Oleg Borisov) comes back to his family a decorated veteran, but his medals came with a price; Leonid has lost his sight, and the depression over his blindness has led him into alcoholism. Along with his friend Grisha (Viktor Avdyushko), Leonid and other soldiers help to create a new city for displaced veterans such as themselves, but the difficult circumstances and Leonid's drinking eventually drive away his wife, leaving their son behind to watch over his father. While Leonid's life wastes away, Grisha gets a job at a nearby factory, and in time builds a happy and stable existence for himself, his wife, and their children. Things are going well for Grisha and his co-workers until the factory head is taken away by authorities, leaving the future of its workers in the balance. Rabochiy Posyelok received one of its few screenings outside the Soviet Union as part of the Soviet Cinema retrospective at the 2000Locarno Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide