Zigzag of Success (1968) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Oreshnikov believed he could turn a small investment into a life-changing sum. As head of the mutual aid fund, he saw an opportunity to use 20 rubles to buy a government bond with a chance to win 10,000 rubles. He left a written guarantee, thinking his luck and ambition could transform his circumstances and help him afford a Zenit-6 camera to pursue his dream of becoming a professional photo artist.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Oreshnikov's proposal to boost productivity through self-portraits showed his willingness to take bold risks for personal advancement.

• lottery bond
• mutual aid fund
• 20 rubles
• Oreshnikov
• luck

His colleagues believed the money came from the communal mutual aid fund, making it collective rather than personal funds. They felt entitled to share the winnings since Oreshnikov had used the studio's money for his gamble. The dispute grew heated because they viewed his success as leveraging their shared resources without their consent.

Foreshadowing: The vote to appoint Oreshnikov as head of the mutual aid fund was unanimous, but the fund was meant to serve the entire team's interests.

• lottery winnings
• colleagues dispute
• mutual fund
• Oreshnikov

The 10,000 rubles win inflated Oreshnikov's ego and changed his attitude. The sudden wealth made him feel superior and distant, causing tension with Olya. His newfound arrogance alienated not just his fiancée but also his colleagues at the studio, leading to their eventual breakup despite their prior engagement through Olya's role in purchasing the bond.

Foreshadowing: Olya worked as the cashing clerk at the savings bank where Oreshnikov bought the bond, suggesting their relationship was already tied to financial matters.

• Oreshnikov
• Olya
• breakup
• lottery win
• arrogance

Lidiya Sergeyevna had developed romantic feelings for Oreshnikov and used the celebration as a pretext to get him alone. Her claim that she had evicted her husband was a fabrication to create the impression of freedom and availability. When Oreshnikov arrived, he found her estranged husband present, leading to an awkward and volatile confrontation.

Foreshadowing: Lidiya's domestic troubles began earlier when her husband left due to jealousy over her long hours at the studio, setting up her vulnerability to emotional attachment.

• Lidiya
• Oreshnikov
• invitation
• husband
• confrontation

At a heated studio meeting, Oreshnikov's colleagues held his arrogance against him. They accused him of misusing communal funds for personal gain, even though he had technically left a written guarantee. The majority turned against him, removing him from his position as head of the mutual aid fund and separating him from the bond winnings. Ivan Stepanovich initially defended him but ultimately sided with the majority.

Foreshadowing: Oreshnikov's boosted vanity after winning had already begun alienating his colleagues before the official meeting.

• Oreshnikov
• studio meeting
• stripped of position
• colleagues
• mutual fund

As revenge against their colleagues, Oreshnikov and Lidiya disguised themselves as Santa Claus and a skier. They staged a playful theft of the money that had been contested, then returned it while keeping only their rightful shares. The caper was meant to reclaim what they felt was fair while embarrassing the colleagues who had turned against them, restoring a sense of justice and balance.

Foreshadowing: The New Year setting provided the opportunity for disguise and celebration, allowing them to execute the plan unnoticed.

• Santa Claus
• skier
• New Year
• heist
• revenge
• Oreshnikov
• Lidiya

Alevtina Vasilyevna, who ran the studio's union committee and longed for marriage, found herself without better options. Her mother had arranged the match with the middle-aged, blunt but well-off Ivan Stepanovich. Although she was initially unimpressed and her father had ejected him from their home, she ultimately accepted the practical marriage despite his simple tastes and her expensive habits creating ongoing tension.

Foreshadowing: Her mother's matchmaking scheme earlier in the film established Ivan Stepanovich as the most viable suitor available.

• Alevtina
• Ivan Stepanovich
• marriage
• practical
• studio

Using his share from the resolved lottery dispute, Oreshnikov purchased a fur coat as a peace offering to Olya. The gesture represented his attempt to reconcile and rebuild their relationship after his arrogance had driven them apart. While it softened the rift, their future together remained uncertain, showing the fragile nature of their personal bonds.

Foreshadowing: The New Year caper resolved the financial dispute, giving Oreshnikov funds to make this gesture.

• fur coat
• Olya
• Oreshnikov
• reconciliation
• peace offering

Despite experiencing conflict, loss of status, and a tumultuous relationship, Oreshnikov maintained his belief in luck and second chances. The film's closing shows him buying another lottery bond, reinforcing his optimistic outlook that life can turn in a zigzag pattern, ups and downs that ultimately lead to success. This reflects the film's theme of resilient optimism in Soviet everyday life.

Foreshadowing: His earlier win and the film's title itself hint at his belief in zigzag patterns of fortune.

• lottery bond
• optimism
• Oreshnikov
• zigzag
• new beginning

After confessing her love and being gently rejected by Oreshnikov, Lidiya Sergeyevna's attraction persisted. Despite his initial refusal, she continued to seduce him, demonstrating her strong emotional investment despite professional and personal complications. This subplot added complexity to their relationship dynamics within the studio community.

Foreshadowing: Lidiya's genuine feelings had been developing throughout the film, making her persistence understandable despite the rejection.

• Lidiya
• Oreshnikov
• seduction
• rejection
• romance