Dubravka

Dubravka spends her days along Crimea's picturesque Black Sea coast, racing with boys, swimming, and playing soccer. She is on the cusp of adolescence, a time when childhood joys feel both comforting and distant. The setting establishes her emotional sensitivity as she navigates growing up.

As she matures, Dubravka loses interest in childish activities and finds herself overlooked by older peers. Her sense of belonging falters when the older cast in theater rehearsals ignore her presence, and she particularly feels it during a rehearsal of The Snow Queen. These tensions hint at the social gaps she must bridge.

Valentina Grigoryevna temporarily moves into Dubravka's home, charming the neighborhood with her beauty and wit. Locals mistake her for a famous actress, though she is actually a textile engineer on vacation. Dubravka is immediately drawn to her radiant presence.

Dubravka idolizes Valentina and savors the attention she receives from her new guest. The dynamic between them grows intimate as Valentina becomes a symbol of aspiration and wonder. The teenage girl feels both admiration and a hunger for validation.

Valentina forms a bond with Pyotr Petrovich, Dubravka's neighbor and a single father. Dubravka watches with growing jealousy as this connection seems to replace her own place in Valentina's world. The evolving friendship raises the stakes of her emotional journey.

In a moment of insecurity, Dubravka tells Valentina outrageous lies about Pyotr, including that he poisoned a former wife. The fabricated stories intensify the rift and sow seeds of distrust. The lies exacerbate the pain of jealousy and confusion she already feels.

Pyotr unintentionally breaks a prized seashell that Dubravka had painstakingly retrieved for Valentina. The incident becomes a tangible symbol of the fragile boundaries between admiration and resentment. The broken shell sharpens the conflict and forces a confrontation.

Dubravka grapples with conflicting emotions—jealousy, admiration, and a desperate need for attention. She reevaluates her actions and realizes the emotional cost of her lies and misjudgments. The turmoil sets the stage for a difficult but necessary growth.

Across the ensuing days, Dubravka begins to understand the complexities of human relationships and the value of empathy. She starts to see Valentina, Pyotr, and Iron with more nuance, beyond her own jealous perspective. This shift marks a turning point in her emotional education.

Dubravka makes peace with her rival Iron, recognizing common ground and shared humanity. She also begins to repair her relationship with Pyotr, and she admits she may have hurt Valentina. The reconciliations signal her growing maturity.

The layers of miscommunication are gradually lifted as Dubravka acknowledges her mistakes and extends an apology to Valentina. Mutual understanding forms a new, healthier bond among them. The trio learns to navigate affection and boundaries with more care.

In the film's closing scenes, Dubravka bids farewell to friends leaving for Leningrad. She promises to share Valentina's address with Pyotr, symbolizing her growth and newfound emotional maturity. The moment crystallizes her shift from seeking attention to seeking connection and responsibility.