Valentina

Set in 1970, the story follows 18-year-old Valentina Paloma Gómez, a waitress in a small Siberian village who harbors feelings for a local investigator, Shamanov. While Shamanov initially seems unaware of her affection, her eventual confession stirs something in him, and a fragile romance begins to flicker, set against a quiet community that keeps its distance from personal longing.

Their budding bond faces stern tests. Pavel, the son of a village cafeteria worker named Anna, becomes deeply infatuated with Valentina and reacts with rage when he discovers her feelings for Shamanov. In a tense confrontation, he confronts Shamanov and, in a bold move, is handed Shamanov’s service pistol, dares him to act. Pavel fires, but misses, leaving him humiliated before those present.

Shamanov, planning to meet Valentina that evening, entrusts a note for her to Zinaida, the village pharmacist who secretly loves him. Zinaida, however, withholds the message and tries to redirect Valentina toward the accountant Mechetkine. Mechetkine, encouraged by Valentina’s father who sees him as a safe, stable match, pursues her in a clumsy manner.

Valentina agrees to go to a dance with Pavel, but only out of pity. Meanwhile, Shamanov returns to the teahouse to meet Valentina but learns from Zinaida that she has gone with Pavel. His search is fruitless, and he later finds Valentina in a distressed state, having suffered abuse at Pavel’s hands. Shamanov, unaware of the full details, attempts to comfort her, but she breaks down.

When confronted by her father about the night’s events, Valentina protects both Pavel and Shamanov by claiming she spent the evening with Mechetkine. The next morning, Valentina returns to work, bearing visible bruises, quietly enduring the consequences of the prior night.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 16:00