Love

In late-Soviet Moscow, a shy photography student, Sasha, falls deeply for Lyuba, an impulsive and free-spirited girl who seems to live with her whole heart. Their intense, fragile romance unfolds against a city on the edge of change—where youthful dreams clash with uncertainty, jealousy, and the inevitable pull of adulthood. As their relationship grows and fractures, the film traces the raw, unvarnished truth of first love: intoxicating, painful, and unforgettable.

Love became one of the first major screen roles for Evgeny Mironov, who would later become one of Russia’s most acclaimed dramatic actors. His portrayal of the shy, introspective Sasha already showed the emotional precision that defined his later career.

The film was shot during a transformative moment in Russian history — the final years of the USSR. It captures the mood of young people facing an uncertain future, balancing personal passions with the instability of a collapsing society.

Director Valery Todorovsky deliberately avoided melodrama, choosing instead a realistic, almost documentary-like style. Many scenes rely on silent glances, improvisation, and intimate framing to reveal the emotional tension between the characters.

Instead of stylized sets, the film uses real student dormitories, courtyards, and Moscow streets, giving the story an authentic snapshot of everyday life in the late Soviet capital — including the slightly worn, grey aesthetic of the era.