A slap. A duel. Decades of simmering Russian pettiness. This is grudge-holding as art form.
After receiving a slap in the face, Officer Silvio challenges the offending Count to a duel. However, urgent circumstances force the officer to leave, leaving the right to shoot. After many years, on the eve of the Count’s wedding, Silvio returns to demand retaliation.
Acting
Kozakov's eyes carry 15 years of unresolved tension.
Cinematography
Shadowy estates that feel like emotional prisons.
Direction
Trakhtenberg stretches silence until it screams.
Director
Naum Trakhtenberg
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Adapted from Pushkin's story that basically invented the 'delayed duel' trope in Russian literature.
Oleg Tabakov was already a Soviet star; this was one of his early film appearances at 21.
SU
