Scarecrow

Schoolyard tormentors chase Lena to the river's edge, where she is saved by her grandfather. He takes her home and asks what the attack was about, signaling the start of the unraveling story. Lena hesitates, hinting that the real reason will unfold later in flashbacks.

At home, the grandfather questions Lena and she begins to reveal the events behind the bullying. The truth will slowly surface through a series of flashbacks as she recounts what happened at school and why she bears the burden. The protective conversation sets the emotional tone for the rest of the tale.

Lena settles into a new school and instantly earns the nickname 'scarecrow' after a clumsy fall in class. The name marks her as an outsider and foreshadows the social drama to come. The school's social order begins to tilt as she garners attention from the popular boy Somov.

Lena takes a liking to Somov, the class hero, while Shmakova, once favored, must move to another desk. The shifting dynamics create tension that fuels much of the film's drama. These rearrangements set the stage for the upcoming accusations.

The class is excited for an upcoming spring break trip to Moscow and decides to skip a literature lesson to go watch a movie. Somov feels uneasy about the plan and warns them of the consequences. The decision to slip away exposes cracks in the group's unity.

When the truth comes out, the class loses the Moscow trip as punishment. Iron Tack suspects betrayal and presses Lena to name the traitor. To protect Somov, Lena claims responsibility and admits she told the teacher, triggering a relentless village chase.

Following Lena's confession, a terrifying sequence of chases unfolds through the village as the classmates pressure her to reveal more. Somov longs to come clean, but his fear keeps him from speaking. The pursuit forces Lena to confront the village's harsh gaze.

Lena recounts the long story of bearing her beloved's guilt to her grandfather. She then goes to the beauty shop, cuts her hair, and later appears at Somov's birthday party with a shaved head. She declares she will leave the village, signaling a dramatic turning point.

Back at school, Somov admits to everyone that he was the one who told the teacher, and he stands at the window threatening to jump. Lena steps in and convinces him to climb away from the ledge. The class acknowledges her toughness and resilience.

The teacher greets the class and announces a remarkable gift: Lena's grandfather has donated his home and a priceless artist's paintings, which will become a museum for the collection. The gesture reframes the village's memory of Lena and her family.

The grandfather arrives to collect Lena and leaves a wrapped painting with the class. When unwrapped, it reveals a young woman with Lena-like features and short hair, deepening the emotional impact of the tale.

The class processes the revelation with shame as they glimpse the likeness of Lena in the painting. A student writes 'Scarecrow, forgive us' on the chalkboard, signaling a fragile step toward reconciliation.