Scarlet Sails

It tells the story of Assol, a dreamy young girl who holds onto a prophecy that a ship with scarlet sails will one day arrive to take her to a life filled with love and happiness. Though mocked by the villagers for her hopes, she never loses faith. Far away, a nobleman named Arthur Gray, inspired by her story, decides to make the miracle come true — setting sail under scarlet sails to find the girl who never stopped believing.

To create the iconic ship with scarlet sails, the filmmakers constructed a full-scale vessel and dyed real sails red, making the final appearance both practical and visually stunning without relying on special effects.

The movie was filmed in Crimea and along the Black Sea coast, with breathtaking natural scenery that contributed to its magical and timeless atmosphere.

Scarlet Sails helped popularize the image of red sails in Russian folklore and youth culture, inspiring annual celebrations in St. Petersburg known as “Alye Parusa”, held during high school graduation season.

The film was widely praised not only for its romantic narrative but also for its poetic cinematography and delicate performances, particularly by Anastasiya Vertinskaya, who played Assol at just 16 years old.