Dogs’ Feast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.