Valentina

In 1970, Valentina, an 18-year-old waitress in a Siberian village, develops deep feelings for the local investigator Shamanov. He remains mostly oblivious to her affection at first. The budding romance is presented as a quiet undercurrent in village life.

Valentina gathers courage and confesses her feelings to Shamanov. Her admission stirs something in him and shifts the dynamic between them. It marks the beginning of growing tension and choices ahead.

Pavel, the cafeteria worker Anna's son, becomes jealous upon learning of Valentina's interest in Shamanov. He confronts Shamanov with danger in mind, prompting Shamanov to hand him his service pistol and dare him to act. Pavel fires, but missing, is humiliated by the calm response.

Shamanov plans to meet Valentina that evening and leaves a note for her with Zinaida, the village pharmacist who secretly loves him. He hopes the note will guide Valentina to him without arousing suspicion. Zinaida accepts the note but keeps it hidden.

Zinaida confesses she withheld the note from Valentina, attempting to redirect her toward Mechetkine. Her motive stems from her secret love for Shamanov. Valentina remains unaware of the intended message.

Mechetkine, encouraged by Valentina's father, begins pursuing her as an ideal match. Valentina rejects the proposal in spirit, but pressure from family complicates her choices. The dynamic underscores the social expectations in the village.

Valentina refuses Mechetkine and reluctantly agrees to go to a dance with Pavel out of pity. The decision places her in a vulnerable situation later that night. The refusal of Mechetkine also tightens Pavel's grip on her.

Shamanov returns to the teahouse to meet Valentina but learns from Zinaida that she has gone with Pavel after the withheld note. He realizes the evening may unfold in a dangerous way. The mood shifts to tension as the events progress.

Shamanov searches for Valentina in vain through the night, finally returning to the village to find her visibly shaken. Valentina has suffered abuse at Pavel's hands, and the truth of the night's events remains hidden from him.

Shamanov tries to comfort her, unaware of the full extent of what happened. Valentina breaks down under the weight of the events, her facade cracking as the truth remains partly obscured. The moment marks a turning point in their relationship.

The next morning, Valentina's father confronts her about the night's events. To protect both men, she claims she spent the evening with Mechetkine, extending the lie to shield Pavel and Shamanov. The lie reveals how she’s navigating loyalty and fear.

Valentina returns to work bearing visible bruises from the night’s events. She endures the scrutiny and stigma in silence, continuing to perform her duties while the truth remains unsettled. The scene closes with the weight of unspoken truths lingering.