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!

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Timeline – Dogs’ Feast (1990)

Trace every key event in Dogs’ Feast (1990) 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

New Year's Eve encounter at the train station

Zhanna, a disheveled alcoholic and cleaner at a train station, lingers in the chaos of the holiday rush. She notices Arkady, a dejected man sitting alone, and seems drawn to his quiet sadness. Out of boredom, she invites him back to her apartment, initiating an uneasy connection.

New Year's Eve Train station
2

Zhanna brings Arkady home

Back at her apartment, Zhanna discovers Arkady doesn't drink, revealing a sobriety tied to a troubled past. He remains wary, keeping his inner wounds shielded from her chaotic world. Their fragile interaction marks the start of an uneasy companionship.

That night Zhanna's apartment
3

Arkady's sobriety contrasts with Zhanna's routine

Arkady's refusal to drink stands in stark contrast to Zhanna's ongoing spiral with alcohol. The two keep each other at arm's length as they navigate a fragile coexistence. This dynamic sets a bleak rhythm for their days together.

Following the first days Zhanna's apartment
4

The trip to Leningrad and Arkady's past

During a visit to Leningrad, Arkady's backstory unfolds: once a hard worker who drank, he served time for a fight. The revelation reveals the burden he carries and the reasons behind his detached demeanor. The city visit deepens the emotional rift between him and Zhanna.

During the trip to Leningrad Leningrad
5

Disownment by wife and children

In Leningrad, Arkady learns that his wife and children have disowned him. The revelation shatters any remaining illusion of belonging. This moment strains the tenuous balance between him and Zhanna.

During the Leningrad visit Leningrad
6

Arkady breaks sobriety after the revelation

Overwhelmed by the abandonment and a sense of failure, Arkady breaks his sobriety and drinks again. Zhanna, faced with his relapse, chooses to bring him back to their home and nurse him toward recovery. The act rekindles a fragile sense of responsibility between them.

After the Leningrad visit Their home
7

Zhanna commits to change

Determined to change, Zhanna stops drinking and begins rebuilding her life. She helps Arkady by providing him with new clothes and companionship, signaling a shift in their dynamic. The couple attempts a more stable existence despite their past.

Following relapse Their home
8

Arkady starts an affair with Sasha

Arkady begins an affair with Sasha, their flirtatious neighbor and a hairdresser who offers him a fleeting spark. He mistakes the affair for love, seeking validation outside their troubled relationship. The bond with Sasha introduces a new source of conflict.

Soon after starting to change Neighborhood/Sasha's hair salon
9

Arkady proposes leaving with Sasha

Believing he is in love with Sasha, Arkady proposes they leave together to start anew. Sasha dismisses him as naïve, exposing the emptiness of his fantasy. The confrontation forces Zhanna to confront the fragility of their bond.

Later Zhanna's home
10

Zhanna forgives Arkady after discovering the affair

Zhanna discovers Arkady's affair but forgives him, clinging to a thread of hope for their relationship. She tries to maintain love and stability despite his wandering attention. The act reveals her stubborn humanity and longing for connection.

After the discovery Zhanna's home
11

Arkady's abuse and withdrawal

Despite her forgiveness, Arkady grows abusive and claims they are too different, insisting he loves another. He remains emotionally distant, showing little regard for Zhanna's inner strength or capacity to love. The relationship deteriorates as his indifference hardens.

Progressing after forgiveness Zhanna's home
12

Zhanna's final act and fate

In a final act of despair, Zhanna realizes Arkady will never see her for who she is. She turns on the gas and lies down beside him, sealing her tragic fate. The moment marks the culmination of a life trapped by addiction, loneliness, and unfulfilled longing.

Final night Zhanna's home

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:09

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Dogs’ Feast Summary

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Dogs’ Feast Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Dogs’ Feast

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