Flights in Dreams and in Reality

The story unfolds largely within an urban office environment and its surrounding social spaces. Sergei interacts with colleagues at the drawing board, while private rooms and a car belonging to Larisa appear as sites of private longing. The settings feel contemporary and functional, mirroring the routine that fuels Sergei's sense of emptiness.

🕰️ Midlife Crisis

Sergei's approaching fortieth birthday triggers a crisis of meaning, as long-held ideals clash with his everyday reality. He feels estranged from his wife, his work, and even his friendships, prompting restless, impulsive behavior. Small provocations—a party outburst, flirtations, and risky decisions—reveal the fragility of his self-image. The film uses this crisis to critique the vanity of chasing change through superficial thrills rather than lasting fulfillment.

💘 Love Triangle

Alisa's allure drags Sergei toward a forbidden sense of renewal, challenging his loyalty and self-control. Larisa's unreturned affection creates a quiet but piercing emotional pressure, highlighting the costs of Sergei's wandering. The arm-wrestling showdown at the party underscores the competitiveness and insecurity fueling the love triangle. Through these tangled affections, the narrative explores how desire can destabilize ethical boundaries.

🪞 Identity

The protagonist's sense of self becomes entangled with the roles he plays—husband, lover, colleague. Sergei's chase for novelty collides with the comfort of routine, exposing vanity in social performance. The intimate and public judgments strip away pretenses, forcing a harsher view of his choices. In the end, the question remains whether genuine change is possible or just an illusion.