There Is Such a Lad

The story is set in a Soviet rural milieu with collective farming life, state-run transport, and a social order that frames romance and ambition. Road life, depots, and local administration hint at a period of post-war modernization and cultural change. The era serves as a stage for intimate, human dramas set against larger societal norms.

The film unfolds along the Chuisky Tract, a long road through the Siberian countryside near Gorno-Altaysk. It centers on truckers, rural communities, and a remote fuel depot, capturing the practical rhythms of Soviet road transport. The landscape and roadside towns provide a backdrop for encounters that shape Pashka’s hopes and fears.

❤️ Love

Pashka’s romantic optimism drives his pursuit of Nastya, even as she remains reserved and chooses another. The film juxtaposes his vivid longing with the reality of unrequited affection, highlighting the vulnerability of a hopeful heart. Across their interactions, love is depicted as both transformative and precarious.

👻 Death

A landlady’s tale of a driver meeting a white-clad woman—Death personified—haunts Pashka and blurs the line between dream and fate. He experiences ominous visions, infusing his romance with existential fear. The specter recurs as a symbol of danger around the open road.

🔥 Courage

Pashka’s heroism shines when he drives the burning fuel truck away from the depot, sacrificing his safety to prevent a catastrophe. The act earns him respect and leaves him physically scarred, yet morally emboldened. It underlines how ordinary courage can redefine a life.

🌿 Simplicity

Interludes with a retired teacher and reflections on everyday joys emphasize values beyond romance and fame. The characters learn to find meaning in small pleasures and knowledge, reinforcing a sense of contentment with simple, honest living. The film suggests fulfillment comes from sincere connections and curiosity.