Farewell, America!

Farewell, America!

Year: 1951

Runtime: 70 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Oleksandr Dovzhenko

ComedyDrama

An unfinished Oleksandr Dovzhenko film that satirically adapts Annabel Bukar’s 1949 book *The Truth about US Diplomats*. It lampoons the covert behavior of U.S. embassy staff in Moscow at the dawn of the Cold War, focusing on the American Embassy’s interior. Dovzhenko completed only half of the project before it was abandoned.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Farewell, America! (1951)

Trace every key event in Farewell, America! (1951) 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

Arrival in Moscow during Victory Celebrations

Anna Bedford, a young American journalist from Pennsylvania, arrives in Moscow as victory celebrations sweep the city. She meets Professor Gromov, who invites her to his home. The encounter hints at the covert paths she will later tread in relation to Soviet circles.

1945 Moscow (Red Square)
2

Embassy assigns Anna to gather CIA intelligence

Back at the U.S. Embassy, leadership instructs Anna to use her connection with Gromov to gather intelligence for the CIA. She steps into a covert role, balancing journalistic work with espionage. The directive marks the start of her double life.

1945 U.S. Embassy, Moscow
3

Gromov invites Anna to his home

Gromov invites Anna to his home, deepening their acquaintance and trust. The informal meeting provides access to sensitive information. This connection solidifies the pathway for future intelligence gathering.

1945 Gromov's home, Moscow
4

Policy shift with new ambassador

A year passes and a new ambassador arrives, General Walter Scott, bringing hardline directives. He orders staff to prioritize intelligence gathering and anti-Soviet activities and declares that peace is only a brief lull before the next war. The stance marks a dramatic change in embassy operations.

1946 U.S. Embassy, Moscow
5

Disillusionment and distorted reports

Anna grows increasingly disillusioned as the embassy presses for propaganda-driven narratives. Her reports from Armenia and Ukraine are distorted to fit predetermined narratives. She begins questioning the integrity of what she is delivering.

1946-1947 Armenia and Ukraine (travels)
6

Armand Howard as ally; recall and a mother's death

Armand Howard, the embassy's information department head, becomes an ally who refuses to compromise the truth. His integrity strengthens Anna's resolve as they navigate the mission together. His recall to Washington coincides with Anna learning of her mother's death.

1946-1947 Moscow, then Washington
7

Return to the U.S.; trial looming

Anna and Howard return to the United States. Howard faces trial upon arrival, a consequence of the unfolding political pressures. The move heightens the stakes for both of them.

1947 United States
8

Howard's acquittal, then murder

Howard is tried but acquitted, only to be murdered in a bar shortly afterward under mysterious circumstances. His death deepens Anna's distrust of the covert world they inhabit. The incident catalyzes a shift in Anna's loyalties.

1947-1948 Washington, D.C.
9

Summoned back to Moscow; fabricated book order

Anna is summoned back to Moscow and tasked with writing a fabricated book about oppression in the Soviet Union. She is pressured to falsely claim that Howard's murder was orchestrated by communists. The assignment tests her resolve and conscience.

1948 Moscow, U.S. Embassy
10

Defection triggers embassy panic

Rather than complying, Anna defects, causing panic within the embassy. Her decision destabilizes the operation and signals a turning point in her story. The scene marks a decisive break from her previous loyalties.

1948 Moscow
11

Uncovered footage hints at Anna's future in the USSR

The uncovered footage ends here, but the script reveals that Anna later becomes a Soviet citizen and publishes an exposé about American diplomats. This pivot reframes her life from a target of espionage to a voice within the Soviet system.

Late 1940s Soviet Union
12

Anna's new homeland and life in the USSR

She finds a new homeland in the USSR, where she can work and live freely. The narrative implies a new identity and purpose within Soviet society. Her transformation marks a departure from her earlier role as a foreign operative.

Late 1940s - Early 1950s Soviet Union
13

Exposé on American diplomats

She publishes an exposé about the activities of American diplomats, asserting a critical counter-narrative to her earlier role. The work positions her as a controversial but influential figure within the new homeland.

Early 1950s Soviet Union
14

Planned finale: Red Square parade

The planned finale would mirror the iconic Circus moment, with Anna marching through Red Square among celebratory crowds during a national holiday. It represents an aspirational ending for her story within the Soviet Union. The scene exists as a proposed future rather than an actual event in the timeline.

Planned finale (fictional future) Red Square, Moscow

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:41

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