The Red Army rolls west while love blooms in the mud — Soviet war cinema at its most unexpectedly tender.
Soviet WW2 film about operation that resulted in liberation of.Romania and Moldova from the Nazis.
Cinematography
Sweeping Moldavian landscapes contrasted with cramped bunker intimacy.
Acting
Klara Luchko brings unexpected vulnerability to the token female role.
Director
Nikolai Gibu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Filmed partially in Bulgaria standing in for Romania due to Cold War location access issues; local villagers were hired as extras and reportedly confused by the Russian dialogue.
Released during the final years of détente, the film's unusually sympathetic Romanian characters reportedly drew criticism from harder-line Soviet critics who preferred their Nazis uncomplicated and their allies grateful.
SU
