Devil's Wheel

A dramatization of a wedding in 16th-century Russia, between members of two prominent boyar families (based on paintings by Konstantin Makovskii): Three matchmakers first visit the family of the prospective bride, and then do the same with the prospective bridegroom's family. Later, as the time of the wedding draws near, the bride is dressed with great formality and prepared for the ceremony, as the guests get ready to celebrate the upcoming wedding.

The rebel leader Jose Real is allowed to leave prison for one day to visit his family. But it is a ruse to make him reveal the whereabouts of his rebel gang. This existential drama disguised as a saga about the proletarian struggle presents a lonely and insecure individual who is challenged to act more heroically than he is prepared to, but who constantly questions his confidence and loyalties.

Based on Pushkin's short story: When his friends play faro, Hermann always enjoys watching, but he never gambles himself. One day, as he is watching their game, he learns that an elderly countess staying nearby is said to possess a secret for winning a fortune at the game. Hermann is determined to learn this secret from her, and he initiates a romance with her granddaughter Liza, in order to improve his chances.

“Chelovecheskie bezdny is an excellent sample of the “high style”, brought to perfection in Yevgeni Bauer’s melodramas. A stage set designer by training, Bauer relied on drapes, curtains and columns, which divided the set into sections but were also used to disguise the lights. Wall ledges, fireplaces and couches served the same purpose. All this led to an impressive depth and at times provided an almost stereoscopic effect.“ Peter Bagrov

The adventures of the world-famous swindler Speyer and his famous gang of "Jacks of Hearts"

Film adaptation of excerpts from Nikolai Gogol's novel of the same name. Only two episodes are recreated faithfully: Chichikov's visit to Sobakevich and Chichikov's visit to Plyushkin. These episodes are followed by a series of scenes in which other characters appear without any connection with the plot. In the finale, everyone is photographed next to the bust of Gogol.

After a pacifist artwork incurs the displeasure of totalitarian state authorities, its creator is accused of the murder of a state official.