Vassa

Set in 1913, a pre-war moment in imperial Russia defined by rigid class structures and conspicuous wealth. Reputation and propriety drive actions, as families risk everything to preserve appearances. The era’s social dynamics highlight the fragility of power when scandal surfaces.

The story unfolds on the garbage dump just outside Nizhny Novgorod, with the Volga River looming as a constant symbol of wealth and danger. The opulent world of shipping magnates clashes with the surrounding decay, framing a drama of power and reputation. Key locations include the family estate, the city, and a tar distillery that marks exile and shifts in control.

⚖️ Reputation

A family’s honor governs every decision as appearances outrun truth. Wealth and status shield wrongdoing, while legal and social pressures trap the characters in a web of deceit. The plot shows how preserving a flawless image can demand harsh choices and even violence.

💰 Wealth

Money cements power and enables manipulation of people and processes. The estate’s fortunes rely on controlling information, bribes, and public perception, illustrating the corrosive effect of wealth on ethics. The narrative reveals how the gaze of society can be bought and sold.

🕊️ Control

Power dynamics center on who governs family life, servants, and succession. Vassa’s authority clashes with personal vulnerability and family loyalties, exposing the costs of control in intimate relationships. Secrecy becomes both shield and tomb as the truth threatens to surface.