Alexander Kalyagin Movies

This Russian-Hungarian backed concept film is set at a giant Siberian steelworks and focuses upon the exploits of one spectacularly bored employee while subtly commenting on larger issues. Conditions at the works, which produces armor alloys for the military, are grim, dangerous, and barely tolerable. The story presents several episodes from workers' lives but focuses particularly upon young Ignat. When not working, his only entertainment stems from stealing sheep from wandering shepherds, and robbing a train at gunpoint. To find a little more excitement, he enters the annual fight between the strongest metal worker and the strongest miner. This provides the film's climax. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This dramatic tragedy is taken from the short story by Leo Tolstoy. Vasili (Oleg Yankovsky) recalls his past love affair and marriage with Lisa (Irina Selezneva). When a piano-playing gypsy gives Lisa music lessons, her husband becomes enraged and tries to kill him. Lisa is accidentally murdered, and the court acquits the distraught and lonely husband for his crime of passion. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

In this simple story, versions of which have been told almost from time immemorial, a middle-aged father leaves his family for a younger woman. He is 45, with a broadening waist and balding pate that will do nothing to attract very many women in the future, so why not take advantage of this one chance at a special happiness? Ever the responsible professional (architect), he meets his ex-wife on a regular basis to pay her alimony. She is particularly patient throughout because her own professional training (sociology) gives her some sort of edge in dealing with his behavior and her feelings. Their daughter is not quite as cool about her parents split, and behaves as most daughters would - she wants them back together, period. After several months with the younger woman, the romantic interlude begins to dim, suggesting that the wife's patience may have been the wisest approach to the whole fiasco. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi