Dogs’ Feast

Dogs’ Feast

Year: 1990

Runtime: 112 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Leonid Menaker

Drama

A woman who cleans toilets has dreams of meeting a lover and finding happiness.Will these dreams, in the winter of a USSR in its last years, come true?

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dogs’ Feast yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Dogs’ Feast (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dogs’ Feast (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Train station, Leningrad

The film opens at a grim train station on New Year’s Eve, a stark urban backdrop that frames Zhanna’s bleak daily routine. The action later shifts to a modest home, but the city’s industrial atmosphere remains a constant undercurrent. Leningrad’s cold, austere environment underscores the characters’ feelings of isolation and longing, setting a tone of desolation and fragile humanity.

🚉 Train station 🏙️ Leningrad cityscape ❄️ Winter chill

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:18

Main Characters – Dogs’ Feast (1990)

Meet the key characters of Dogs’ Feast (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Zhanna

Zhanna is a disheveled alcoholic whose life revolves around a chaotic routine and a stubborn spark of humanity. She clings to the possibility of a new life and someone who sees beyond her flaws. Her bond with Arkady reveals tenderness and fatigue, as she tries to salvage something meaningful from her turmoil.

🍷 Alcoholism 🧭 Hope vs Despair

Arkady

Arkady presents a quiet dignity and a hardened past, whose sobriety is both a strength and a shield that masks emotional distance. His aloofness is tested when he becomes entangled with another woman, challenging his commitment to Zhanna. The backstory of prison time adds weight to his guarded nature.

🛡️ Past 💔 Unrequited love

Sasha

Sasha is the flirtatious neighbor who offers a momentary escape from the couple’s stagnation. She embodies glittering illusion and impulsive desire, proving unreliable as a source of true connection. Her presence precipitates conflict and exposes the limits of Arkady’s longing.

💃 Flirtation 🪞 Illusion

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:18

Major Themes – Dogs’ Feast (1990)

Explore the central themes of Dogs’ Feast (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🍷 Alcoholism

Zhanna’s perpetual drinking defines her existence and choices, contrasting with Arkady’s fragile sobriety. The narrative shows how addiction binds people to cycles of hope and relapse. Attempts to break free are easily undermined by past traumas and present temptations. The theme probes whether tenderness can endure within a life governed by compulsion.

💔 Betrayal

Arkady’s affair with Sasha exposes a lure of new excitement that destabilizes his bond with Zhanna. The flirtation reveals how illusion and desire can erode trust and deepen disappointment. The dynamic highlights power imbalances and the fragility of care in a strained relationship. Disillusionment shades the couple’s interactions and choices.

🕯️ Despair

As hope flickers and relationships falter, the film traces a descent into self-destruction. Zhanna’s decision to turn on the gas embodies a fatal sense of inevitability and wasted potential. The ending reframes their bond as a tragedy of unfulfilled longing and damaged self-worth. The bleak tone underscores the limits of love amid addiction and abuse.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:18

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Dogs’ Feast

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dogs’ Feast in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dogs’ Feast is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dogs’ Feast Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dogs’ Feast, 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.

Dogs’ Feast Summary

Dogs’ Feast Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dogs’ Feast with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dogs’ Feast Timeline

More About Dogs’ Feast

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dogs’ Feast: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Dogs’ Feast

Similar Movies to Dogs’ Feast

Discover movies like Dogs’ Feast that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.