The film centers around a woman named Nadezhda Petrukhina (played by Mayya Bulgakova) who is now in charge of a school. She is unhappy in her job and comes off to the kids as very emotional distance. As it turns out she used to be in the air force during World War 2, and she had grown so used to this life that it is hard for her to adjust to civilian life. This story is unfolded very slowly and carefully, and we find out more and more information as the film goes on. As it starts we would agree with the kids that she was very emotionally distant. However by the end as more of the character is reveled we become attached to her and are complete involved in the character. This way of storytelling is what makes this film so fascinating and moving. If this story was told in a more conventional manner, it would not have the power that it does. By the way the ending brings tears to my eyes and I assume it would do the same for you.
Also helping this film is Mayya Bulgakova's brilliant performance as the main character and Igor Slabnevich's amazing black and white cinematography.
This was director Larisa Shepitko's first feature film after she graduated from All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (where she meet and become almost a pupil to the great Russian director
Aleksandr Dovzhenko (Ivan, Earth)). With this film however Shepitko proved herself as one of the greatest Russian filmmakers. She would have an unfortunately short career as she would die at age 41 in a car crash. However a look at her films and it is clear she was a great cinematic artist.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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