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Timeline

When September Comes (1975) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1975 · 91 mins · Russian
Directed by
Edmond Keosayan
Starring
Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, Vladimir Nosik, Galina Polskikh, Nikolay Kryuchkov, Ivan Ryzhov, Nikolay Grabbe

Pensioner Levon Poghosyan journeys from Armenia to Moscow to celebrate his grandson’s first day of school. Though he is advanced in years and terminally ill, his sole purpose is to share happiness with loved ones and the many new acquaintances he meets in the city’s noisy, bustling streets, spreading warmth wherever he goes.

On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (12)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

12 events in order · contains spoilers

When September Comes Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of When September Comes (1975) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Levon arrives in Moscow to enroll Levonik

    Levon Pogosyan leaves his Armenian town of Ashtarak and travels to Moscow with the goal of enrolling his grandson Levonik in first grade. His warm, outgoing personality helps him stand out in the bustling, impersonal city. In the process, he begins to chart a life for his family in a new urban setting.

    Where
    Moscow
  2. Levon's warmth attracts neighbors and friends

    In the crowded city, Levon's generosity and help-for-all attitude quickly endear him to strangers. His small acts of kindness stand out amid the routine, sometimes indifferent routines of urban life. People start to seek him out for advice and support.

    Where
    Moscow
  3. Family tensions at home

    Back at their apartment, Levon's daughter Nune wrestles with jealousy toward her husband, who works at a textile factory and pursues amateur theater. The tension spills into daily life, straining the family dynamics despite Levon's efforts to keep harmony. Levon's presence remains a stabilizing, hopeful force.

    Where
    Moscow apartment
  4. Levon befriends Nikolai and learns about Katya

    Levon befriends Nikolai Nikolaevich, Katya's grandfather, building a bond that helps both families. Nikolai shares responsibility for Katya, an orphan raised with love after her parents died on a Pamirs expedition. Their friendship becomes a bridge between generations.

    Where
    Moscow
  5. Katya's backstory introduced

    Katya's past reveals the loss of her parents during a geological expedition in the Pamirs, and her grandfather's devoted care shapes their bond. The revelation deepens Levon's understanding of resilience and community. These threads connect with the adult characters in Moscow.

    When
    Earlier
    Where
    Pamirs (backstory)
  6. Doctors reveal a grim prognosis for Levon

    During a routine check-up, doctors discover that Levon does not have long to live. The medical team decides to withhold this information from him, sparing him immediate distress. The revelation casts a shadow over the future while continuing to inspire his generosity.

    When
    During a routine check-up
    Where
    Moscow hospital
  7. Levon's health guides his interactions

    Even after the prognosis, Levon's generous spirit persists. He continues to engage with friends and neighbors, sharing meals and stories. Nikolai helps Levon manage health issues stemming from old war wounds.

    Where
    Moscow
  8. Gena builds a grill for Levon

    A local handyman named Gena builds a charcoal grill for Levon, enabling a chance to gather with neighbors. The gesture reflects Levon's outgoing nature and willingness to bring people together. The act also signals the start of a spontaneous Moscow balcony barbecue.

    Where
    Levon's Moscow balcony
  9. Shashlik becomes a communal event

    Levon and Levonik prepare shashlik on the balcony, turning a simple meal into a neighborhood gathering. The smoke draws curious onlookers who think there's a fire, but the moment becomes a celebration of connection. The kitchen-table talk and shared food deepen the sense of community.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Moscow high-rise balcony
  10. Firefighters and a spontaneous party

    Responding to the mistaken fire alarm, firefighters arrive and are drawn into Levon's circle. The interruption becomes a lively, unexpected social gathering rather than a danger. Levon's warmth turns a crisis into a memory and strengthens bonds with neighbors.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Outside the apartment
  11. The gathering widens into lasting friendships

    What began as a misinterpreted smoke turns into a recurring, informal neighborhood gathering. Friends and family are drawn together by Levon's generosity, creating a more connected community in their building. The event becomes a reminder of the power of simple hospitality.

    When
    Following the balcony incident
    Where
    Moscow high-rise
  12. Farewell at the airport

    As Levon's prognosis weighs on everyone, his friends and family gather at the airport to say goodbye. The farewell is heartfelt, capturing the impact of his life and the warmth he shared with others. The film closes on this poignant note of parting and memory.

    Where
    Airport

Last updated: February 18, 2026 at 23:46

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Timeline questions answered

When September Comes Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of When September Comes (1975): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Levon travel to Moscow

Levon Pogosyan journeys from his hometown of Ashtarak in Armenia to Moscow specifically to enroll his young grandson Levonik in the first grade. This mission represents his final act of purpose and love, ensuring his grandson's future while he still can. His terminal diagnosis makes this journey even more meaningful as it's his way of leaving a lasting legacy.

  • levon
  • moscow
  • levonik
  • grandson
  • enrollment
  • first grade
Q2

Why don't the doctors tell Levon about his illness

During a routine medical check-up, doctors discover that Levon is terminally ill with very little time left. They deliberately withhold this devastating news from him, choosing instead to let him live his remaining days in peace without the burden of knowing his fate. This compassionate deception allows Levon to continue spreading his warmth and generosity without despair.

  • doctors
  • prognosis
  • terminal illness
  • diagnosis
  • health
Q3

What happens during the balcony shashlik scene

Levon and the handyman Gena build a charcoal grill on the balcony of their Moscow high-rise to prepare shashlik. When smoke fills the air, neighbors think there's a fire and alert authorities. Instead of causing trouble, Levon turns the confusion into a spontaneous celebration, inviting everyone to join the meal. Firefighters even get drawn into the gathering, and the incident becomes a catalyst for community connection.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Levon's warmth already attracted neighbors seeking his company, setting up this moment of unexpected communion.

  • shashlik
  • balcony
  • grill
  • neighbors
  • fire
  • barbecue
  • community
Q4

Why is Nune jealous of her husband

Levon's daughter Nune feels jealousy toward her husband because he works at a textile factory during the day and also participates in amateur theater in the evenings. His dual pursuits mean he's often absent from home, and his artistic interests create distance in their marriage. This tension represents the everyday family struggles that exist alongside Levon's joyful presence.

  • nune
  • husband
  • jealousy
  • theater
  • textile factory
  • family tension
Q5

Who is Katya and what is her backstory

Katya is a classmate of Levonik whose parents died during a geological expedition in the Pamirs mountains. She is now lovingly cared for by her grandfather Nikolai Nikolaevich, who raises her alone. Levon befriends Nikolai, and through this connection learns about Katya's loss, deepening his understanding of resilience and community.

  • katya
  • orphan
  • pamirs
  • grandparents
  • nikolai
Q6

What happens at the airport in the ending

As Levon's time runs out, his friends and family gather at the airport to bid him farewell. This heartfelt goodbye captures the impact of his generosity, everyone whose life he touched comes to express their gratitude. The film closes on this poignant note of parting, marking the end of a chapter where one man's warmth transformed a disconnected urban community.

  • airport
  • farewell
  • goodbye
  • ending
  • family
  • friends
Q7

How does Levon impact his neighbors in Moscow

Levon's warm, open-hearted nature and willingness to help strangers stand out in the typically impersonal city environment. His small acts of kindness, sharing food, offering advice, bringing people together, gradually create a sense of community among neighbors who previously kept to themselves. People seek him out for connection and support, and his generosity leaves lasting impressions on everyone he meets.

  • neighbors
  • community
  • kindness
  • warmth
  • impact
Q8

What are Levon's health issues from the war

Levon suffers from health problems stemming from old war wounds. His friend Nikolai Nikolaevich helps him manage these issues throughout his time in Moscow. Despite his declining health from both the war injuries and his terminal diagnosis, Levon continues to engage fully with life, never letting his physical condition diminish his generous spirit.

  • war wounds
  • health
  • nikolai
  • injuries
  • old age

Movie threads

More Movies Like When September Comes, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes When September Comes tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Final Journey Movies Like When September Comes

Characters on a final journey, finding meaning and connection before a looming end. If you were moved by the elderly protagonist's purposeful final trip in 'When September Comes,' these movies feature similar narratives of characters on poignant journeys of closure, connection, and finding meaning before an inevitable end.

  • bittersweet
  • poignant
  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • nostalgic
  • melancholic
  • Tone: bittersweet, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread are built around a protagonist's conscious, final journey. The plot is often episodic, structured around encounters that allow the character to reflect on their life, reconcile with the past, and positively impact others. The narrative builds gently towards an emotionally resonant and accepting conclusion.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core narrative of a protagonist embracing their mortality through a meaningful journey. They balance the sadness of impending loss with a profound sense of warmth, human connection, and the quiet dignity of a life reviewed.

Intergenerational Connection Movies Like When September Comes

Stories where the bond between different generations brings healing and perspective. Fans of the touching grandfather-grandson relationship in 'When September Comes' will appreciate these films that explore the unique bonds, shared wisdom, and heartfelt connections between different generations.

  • heartwarming
  • poignant
  • bittersweet
  • hopeful
  • nostalgic
  • family
  • Tone: warm, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative focuses on the developing relationship between characters from vastly different age groups. Conflict often arises from generational gaps, but the core of the story is the bridge they build together. The older character imparts wisdom and experience, while the younger one offers new perspectives and renewed purpose, leading to emotional growth for both.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their focus on the special dynamic between generations. They share a gentle, steady pacing and a tone that is warm yet poignant, celebrating the ways we learn from and care for each other across the decades.

Every angle

When September Comes (1975) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about When September Comes in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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