Could One Imagine?

Could One Imagine?

Year: 1981

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Ilya Frez

DramaRomance

Two high‑school students meet in class and quickly fall deeply in love, but the lingering history between the boy’s father and the girl’s mother creates an uneasy atmosphere. The boy’s jealous mother tries to drive them apart, while their teacher, herself tangled in a troubled romance, silently supports the young couple.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Could One Imagine? (1981)

Trace every key event in Could One Imagine? (1981) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Moscow: Katya meets Roman and a quiet romance begins

Katya moves to a new district and meets Roman Lavochkin at school, and their friendship soon deepens into something more. Their growing romance is noticed by teachers and some classmates, hinting at how fragile young love can be when faced with adult history. The pair become a symbol of hope amid a web of family tensions.

Beginning Moscow, school
2

Family pasts set the stage for conflict

Behind the tenderness, the adults carry long-held grievances: Vera resents Katya's mother Lyudmila, while Konstantin's past affection for Lyudmila haunts Vera. These undercurrents foreshadow attempts to pull the couple apart. The stage is set for adult interference to threaten their future.

Early Moscow
3

Vera moves to separate the couple

Vera actively tries to keep Katya and Roman apart by transferring Roman to another school and forbidding them to meet. The couple's plan to stay connected is frustrated by the distance and new social barriers. The adults' actions intensify the stakes of their romance.

Soon after Moscow
4

A deceptive 'illness' sends Roman away

Vera deceives her son by sending him to Leningrad under the pretense of caring for a sick grandmother. The trip is a deliberate ploy to separate him from Katya. The grandmother is used as a tool in Vera's larger plan, though her alleged illness is later revealed as a ruse.

Mid story Moscow to Leningrad
5

Support from friends and a decision to uncover the truth

Despite the separation, Katya is supported by loyal classmates and teacher Tatyana Nikolaevna, who remains a steady ally. Katya resolves to go to Leningrad to uncover the truth for herself. This resolve marks a turning point as she prepares to confront the deception head-on.

Between acts Moscow
6

Misunderstanding poisons a crucial contact)

Roman, unable to understand Katya's silence, calls Tatyana Nikolaevna for guidance. She misreads the situation and bluntly tells him never to call again. The miscommunication widens the rift and amplifies the emotional distance between the lovers.

During separation Roman's home
7

The deceit is revealed to Roman

Roman overhears a telephone conversation between his grandmother and his mother and learns that the supposed illness is a sham. The revelation shatters his trust in the people closest to him and intensifies his longing for Katya. He realizes he has been manipulated for an unknown motive.

Shortly after Grandmother's house
8

Truth reaches Lyudmila and Vladimir

Tatyana Nikolaevna uncovers Vera's deception and informs Lyudmila and Vladimir about what's truly happening. They confront Vera and begin to support Katya and Roman, changing the dynamic of the conflict. The family learns that the couple's love might endure despite the adults' schemes.

After the overheard conversation Lyudmila and Vladimir's home
9

Katya decides to travel to Leningrad

Empowered by the new information, Katya commits to going to Leningrad to uncover the truth and reunite with Roman. She prepares for the journey and steels herself against the obstacles ahead. The decision sets the stage for the physical crossing from Moscow to Leningrad.

Moment after Moscow
10

Katya arrives in Leningrad and begins her search

Katya reaches Leningrad and starts her investigation, determined to locate Roman and reveal Vera's manipulation. Her arrival marks the shift from circumstantial intrigue to direct confrontation with the people keeping them apart. The search is fraught with uncertainty, but her resolve remains strong.

Shortly after departure Leningrad
11

Intercepted letters and growing isolation

In Leningrad, Katya's letters to Roman are intercepted by his grandmother, further cutting off any direct communication. The lovers' bond is strained as information and contact are tightly controlled. The isolation heightens the tension of the impending confrontation.

During Katya's mission Leningrad
12

The window moment: a perilous reunion in the snow

In a climactic moment, Roman, trapped in his grandmother's house, looks out the window and sees Katya approaching. He calls to her, but his grandmother tries to keep them apart and even shoves him away. He slips on the windowsill, and the fall is cushioned by a snowdrift; Katya rushes to him as they fall back into the snow, watched by two passing children.

Climax Grandmother's house, Leningrad

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:58

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