Valentina

Valentina

Year: 1980

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Gleb Panfilov

DramaRomance

A drama about an affair between 18 years old dinning-room waitress and much older police investigator.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Valentina (1980)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Valentina (1980). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970

Set in 1970, in a small, secluded village, the story unfolds during a period of slow modernization and strict social norms. The era’s limited mobility and conservative attitudes amplify the consequences of romance, jealousy, and betrayal. Everyday life—work in the teahouse, the cafeteria, and the village office—frames the drama.

Location

Сибирская деревня

A remote Siberian village serves as the backdrop, with wooden houses and a stark winter landscape. The tight-knit community and limited amenities shape daily life and the choices of its inhabitants. The setting heightens social pressures and secrecy, making romance feel fraught with risk.

❄️ Сибирская деревня 🏘 Деревенская местность 🌲 Холодный климат

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:41

Main Characters – Valentina (1980)

Meet the key characters of Valentina (1980), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Valentina (Dariya Mikhaylova)

An 18-year-old waitress in a small Siberian village who harbors unrequited feelings for the local investigator, Shamanov. Her confession triggers the central romance and its perilous obstacles. She endures the night’s aftermath with bruises and emotional strain, navigating a harsh social landscape.

💬 Conversation 💖 Romance 🌟 Youth

Владимир Михайлович Шаманов (Rodion Nahapetov)

A calm, observant investigator who becomes the focus of Valentina’s affection. He moves through the drama with measured decisions, trying to maintain order in a tangle of secrets. His composed demeanor contrasts with the volatility around him.

🕵️ Investigation ❄️ Calm 🧭 Focus

Зинаида Кашкина (Larisa Udovichenko)

The village pharmacist who secretly loves Shamanov and chooses to withhold a key note for their planned meeting. Her actions influence Valentina’s path and reflect the tension between personal desire and social strategy. She embodies secrecy and calculated moves in a small town.

💊 Pharmacist 💔 Secret 🧭 Manipulation

Анна Хороших (Inna Churikova)

Pavel and Valentina’s community link as the cafeteria worker Anna, a mother figure who influences marriage prospects due to family expectations. She views Mechetkine as a practical match, illustrating how social pressures shape relationships.

🍲 Cafeteria 👩‍👧 Mother 🏛 Community

Пашка (Sergey Koltakov)

The son of Anna whose intense infatuation with Valentina triggers jealousy and a volatile confrontation with Shamanov. His actions reveal the dangerous edge of passion in a tightly knit village.

💢 Jealousy 🔫 Confrontation ⚔️ Risk

Илья Еремеев, охотник-эвенк (Maksim Munzuk)

A local hunter who embodies the rugged, traditional side of village life. He operates within the social circle of Valentina’s world and contributes to the setting’s realism.

🏹 Hunter 🌲 Rural ❄️ Cold

Иннокентий Степанович Мечёткин, бухгалтер (Vsevolod Shilovsky)

The village accountant who represents practical, steady options for marriage and partnership. His presence underscores the social pressure to secure a stable match.

💼 Accountant 📊 Practical 🧭 Matchmaking

Фёдор, отец Валентины (Vasili Korzun)

Valentina’s father, a guardian of traditional village values who sees practical considerations as guiding a suitable marriage. He reinforces the social norms shaping his daughter’s choices.

👨 Father 🧭 Traditional 🏡 Home

Афанасий, муж Анны (Yuri Grebenshchikov)

Anna’s husband, part of the village’s social network and the fabric of their relationships, illustrating the interconnected loyalties that influence decisions.

👔 Husband 🧭 Community

Механик местной электростанции

A local power-plant mechanic who adds realism to the village backdrop, highlighting daily work life alongside the drama.

⚙️ Mechanic 🏭 Local 🔌 Electric

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:41

Major Themes – Valentina (1980)

Explore the central themes of Valentina (1980), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love and Prohibition

Valentina’s longing for Shamanov drives the romance, but his initial distance and village expectations constrain it. The confession stirs emotional tension rather than easy union. Jealousy from Pavel and secrecy around Shamanov’s plans complicate what might have blossomed.

🕵️ Secrets and Manipulation

Zinaida’s secret affection for Shamanov leads to withholding the note and misdirecting Valentina. The concealment and the suggestion to pursue Mechetkine reveal how information is used as leverage. Valentina becomes a pawn in a web of competing affections and covert schemes.

⚖️ Vulnerability and Consequences

Pavel’s violence exposes the raw danger behind unchecked jealousy. Valentina bears both physical and emotional scars, illustrating her resilience amid trauma. The aftermath highlights power dynamics, gender expectations, and the community’s ambivalent stance toward the vulnerable.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:41

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Unlock the Full Story of Valentina

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Valentina Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Valentina, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Valentina Summary

Valentina Timeline

Track the full timeline of Valentina with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Valentina Timeline

More About Valentina

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