Burnt by the Sun

Burnt by the Sun

Year: 1994

Runtime: 135 mins

Language: Russian

DramaMoving relationship storiesPolitics and human rightsHumanity and the world around usPolitical drama patriotism and war

Set in 1936 Soviet Russia, revolutionary hero Colonel Kotov enjoys a peaceful summer at his dacha with his wife, six‑year‑old daughter Nadia, and friends. Their tranquility shatters when charismatic Cousin Dmitri arrives from Moscow, enchanting the women and Nadia with his piano playing. Kotov senses ulterior motives as Stalinist repression closes in, with ominous midnight telephone calls foretelling doom.

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Timeline & Setting – Burnt by the Sun (1994)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Burnt by the Sun (1994). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1936 Summer

Set in the summer of 1936 in the Soviet Union, the story unfolds within a single day. The period is defined by Stalinist authority and the presence of the NKVD, shaping fear and suspicion. The confined timeframe heightens tension and foreshadows the era's tragic consequences, including later thaw-era reversals.

Location

Soviet Union, rural dacha, banya, collective farm

The action centers on a country dacha in the Soviet countryside during a hot summer day. It features a traditional banya where a family gathers, and a nearby collective farm and military maneuvers hint at the state's reach over everyday life.

🏛 Rural 🕰 Historical 🌞 Summer

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:24

Main Characters – Burnt by the Sun (1994)

Meet the key characters of Burnt by the Sun (1994), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Col. Sergei Petrovich Kotov

A renowned Old Bolshevik and hero of the 1917 Civil War, Kotov is a devoted family man who commands respect from both the army and villagers. He embodies a calm authority and deep public persona, yet faces a private fear as the NKVD threat closes in. His tenderness for his family is matched by his stubborn faith in political loyalty, which is ultimately tested by Mitya’s trap.

🎖 Heroic Old Bolshevik 👨 Family-man

Nadya Kotova

Nadya is a six-year-old daughter who witnesses the adults' conflicts with childlike clarity. She embodies innocence and resilience amid looming danger, forming a gentle bond with Mitya while staying close to her father.

👶 Child 💖 Innocence

Dmitri (Mitya)

A former White Army veteran and former fiancé of Maroussia, Mitya returns with a calculated vendetta as an NKVD agent. He uses his power to frame Kotov and pursue revenge, revealing the personal costs of ideological conflict.

🗡 Revenge ⚖️ Betrayal

Maroussia

A Chekhovian aristocrat and Maroussia’s wife, she grapples with the upheaval of her world and the pain of losing Mitya’s affection. She represents the old social order facing the brutal reality of state violence.

💃 Aristocrat 💔 Tragedy

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:24

Major Themes – Burnt by the Sun (1994)

Explore the central themes of Burnt by the Sun (1994), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔒 Power

The film examines how political power constrains individual lives. NKVD authority and state paranoia intrude into domestic space, turning personal ties into instruments of control. The day reveals how loyalty to the regime can mask personal grievances and lead to tragic outcomes.

💔 Family

Family bonds are tested by political intrigue and betrayal. The relationships among Kotov, Maroussia, and Nadya reveal private desires and fears beneath public heroism. The family house becomes a fragile haven endangered by the encroaching machinery of state violence.

🕰️ Memory

The narrative interrogates memory of past loyalties and betrayals, including Mitya’s revenge against Kotov for past wrongs. The cost of historical injustices is reflected in the fates of the characters, as memories of White Army service, OGPU, and Stalin-era politics converge at the dacha.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:24

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Burnt by the Sun Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Burnt by the Sun, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Burnt by the Sun Summary

Burnt by the Sun Timeline

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Burnt by the Sun Timeline

More About Burnt by the Sun

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Burnt by the Sun (1994) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Burnt by the Sun (1994) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow