The film is based on the works by Russian writer Anton Chekhov.

This is a picture of life of the Russian gentry in the late 19th century. Without a grain of sentimentality, the director reveals the moral bankruptcy of his heroes. A village teacher, Platonov, is undergoing an emotional crisis. He believes his life has had no purpose. He is tormenting both himself and his young wife, Sashenka. The film’s another protagonist – Doctor Terletsky – hates his patients and his work. The guests staying with a general’s wife, Anna Petrovna, are talking about the pleasures of a simple village life, not really believing what they are saying. The retro style chosen by the director and the masterly cinematography (a credit to Nikita Mikhalkov’s permanent cameraman – Pavel Lebeshev) combine to make this film a real treasure for the lovers of Russian classics. Played in the film is the music by G. Donizetti, F. Liszt, S. Rachmaninov.

Awards:
Big Golden Shell at the San Sebastian IFF, 1977;
Special Jury Prize for Best Acting (Alexander Kaliagin) at the Cartagena IFF, 1977;
Golden Plate Prize at the Chicago IFF, 1978