Zigzag of Success

The film opens with a short animated sequence that traces the invention and evolution of photography. It frames photographers as professionals shaping memory and culture. The sequence sets the tone for a story rooted in image-making and aspiration.

The narrative shifts to a provincial town in the 1960s and the staff of the photo studio Sovremennik. The studio struggles to meet its goals, prompting the staff to look for a new idea. Oreshnikov emerges as a resourceful photographer who champions bold experiments.

Oreshnikov suggests that staff take self-portraits to increase productivity and morale. The proposal is met with enthusiasm and the team votes him as the head of their mutual aid fund. He sees this role as a springboard for his ambitions.

Oreshnikov borrows the entire 20 rubles from the mutual aid fund, leaving a note as a guarantee. He uses the money to buy a government bond through his fiancée, Olya, who works as a cashier at the local savings bank. The plan is a test of luck that could change his fortunes.

Lidiya Sergeyevna endures a domestic crisis as her jealous husband grows tired of her late hours. He leaves her, taking all their furniture and disrupting her life. The strain foreshadows the personal costs of the studio's ambitions.

Alevtina, the union committee head, becomes the target of a matchmaking plan arranged by her mother. Ivan Stepanovich Kalachyov is brought into the picture as a potential husband. The awkward matchmaking collapses into tension rather than romance.

Ivan visits the studio under the pretense of needing a photo, hoping to establish contact with Alevtina. The interaction is uncomfortable and fails to spark romance. It reveals the social dynamics and pretenses among the studio's leadership.

The bond in the lottery yields a massive 10,000 rubles, sending Oreshnikov into elation. The victory sours his relationship with Olya, eventually driving them toward a breakup. The windfall also heightens tension with his colleagues.

Lidiya Sergeyevna invites Oreshnikov to celebrate with her, falsely claiming she has evicted her husband. He accompanies her to her home, only to face the awkward presence of the estranged spouse. The confrontation triggers a cascade of consequences for their relationship.

During a studio meeting, Oreshnikov's arrogance is blamed for misusing the mutual fund. The majority turns against him, and he is stripped of his role and the bond. The episode marks a sharp fall from grace and a reordering of the studio's power.

Lidiya Sergeyevna confesses her love for Oreshnikov, but he gently rejects her. Despite the rejection, she continues to seduce him, complicating their professional and personal dynamics. The tension tests loyalties within the studio community.

As the New Year approaches, Oreshnikov and Lidiya hatch a comedic revenge against their colleagues, disguising themselves as Santa Claus and a skier. They steal the money but ultimately return it, keeping only their rightful shares. The caper rebalances power and hints at renewed relationships.

With the money settled, Oreshnikov uses his share to buy Olya a fur coat as a peace offering. The gesture offers a glimmer of reconciliation, though their future together remains uncertain. The episode underscores the fragility of their personal bonds amid the studio's upheavals.

Alevtina marries Ivan Stepanovich Kalachyov, though his simple tastes and his wife's expensive habits create tension. The union resolves one subplot while highlighting the class and desire differences. The wedding marks a pivot in the studio's social fabric.

Oreshnikov re-enters the game by investing in another lottery bond, hoping for another zigzag of luck. The staff, resilient and quirky, look forward to new beginnings in the studio. The film closes on a note of cautious optimism about art, friendship, and renewal.