A Home for Tanya

In 1950s Moscow, Tanya learns she is the biological daughter of Natalia Avdeyevna, the elderly rural woman who disappeared during World War II. The news unsettles her and ignites a curiosity about a life she never knew, prompting a decision to visit Natalia and uncover her roots.

Tanya travels from Moscow to Natalia's rural village to meet her and understand her origins. At first, she feels out of place among the simple rhythms of rural life, yet she is drawn to Natalia’s world and its quiet resilience.

Natalia presents Tanya to Nyura, a farm worker, and Sergey Ivanovich, the village chairman. Tanya begins to see the community she could belong to and the roles these people play in village life.

She observes the daily labor, social bonds, and the difficulties faced by villagers. The contrasts with Tanya’s former life in Moscow become clear, but she also feels a growing empathy for their world.

A theft accusation tests the village’s sense of justice, and Sergey Ivanovich steps in to ensure a fair outcome for Nyura. His calm leadership reinforces Tanya’s admiration for his fairness.

As Tanya contemplates returning to Moscow, she finds herself helping Nyura decide to stay rather than leave. Their bond deepens as Tanya supports a life rooted in the village and its people.

Tanya develops a quiet affection for Sergey Ivanovich, but he explains gently that their connection is not meant to be. She hides her disappointment while Natalia and the grandfather sense something has changed.

In a parallel arc, Sergey Ivanovich rekindles his relationship with Stepanida, a woman marked by losses after the war. Their renewed bond brings closure and a path forward for both of them. Tanya watches, accepting Stepanida’s happiness.

Tanya decides to remain in the village and cultivate her roots, forming a deeper bond with Natalia Avdeyevna. She writes to her adoptive mother about her excitement to meet her other mother someday.

She envisions becoming a teacher who guides future generations, reflecting the hospitality she received from the village. When a new teacher arrives from Moscow, Tanya steps into a guiding role, helping her adjust.

Tanya takes on the role of host and mentor for the new Moscow teacher, mirroring the generosity she experienced earlier. This marks her full embrace of village life and her dual identity.

The film closes with Tanya embracing her dual identity and the life she has built in the village. She looks forward to introducing her biological mother to Natalia and to educating in the village she now calls home.