This film is inspired by the Chekhovian perspective on the human lot and borrows two motifs from his work. The first concerns Peter and his efforts to rid himself of the influence of a despotic father; the second focuses on the tragic affair of young Tatiana. The link between both plots prompts the question whether sensitive and vulnerable young people have any chance of surviving against the banality and barbarity of the world into which they were born. Kira Muratova says of her film: “Film is the production of spectres. When I make a film, I take everything from myself, from everything which truly exists. It’s a rough profession, we’re like surgeons. The result is an illusion created by cruel means... I want each character to have the effect of an emotional snakebite. Unyielding material excites me, it mobilises me, it strikes out. Whatever creates resistance helps me. My soul has an inane disposition: the worse it is, the better! Film, in fact, isn’t particularly useful, it’s a luxury. Like other forms of art. But so what? Why should I do things which are essential to people?”.