Awards : Prix Tarkovski au Festival "Une fenêtre sur l'Europe", Vyborg, 2003
Plot synopsis
The action takes place in 1942 during the Battle of Stalingrad. 100 kilometers to the north, in a charming little village, Chichka, nestled on a hill in the middle of the steppe, life goes on peacefully. But the war is making its effects felt even here. The dead are brought there, distant cannon fire and the noise of planes can be heard. The heroes of the film are Ivan, a young 16-year-old shepherd, Igor, a young city dweller and Katia, the village beauty. Of course Kalia prefers Igor who is handsome and cultured. Ivan is jealous and confides his misfortunes to the bulls, his closest friends, who miraculously were spared by the war. But while going to get hay for the bulls, Igor and Ivan will have to face German soldiers.
