Me and my mom have a tradition: watching cheesy movies on New Year’s day. And for about 10 years
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears is number one on our list. You can of course get sick out of it, but what can be better than Soviet chick flick, that oh, reminds of good ole times(mostly for my mom)!  

The movie was made in 1979 and was directed by one of the best Russian directors at that time – Vladimir Menshov. Moscow does not believe in tears is a melodrama about three friends from province – Antonina, Lyudmila and Katerina, who come to Moscow in order to make their dreams come true. Each of the girls strives to accomplish the best in the big city, but life chooses different path for each of them. As movie focuses on Katerina, aimful, hard-working woman, Antonina’s and Lyudmila’s lives are seen in flashes. Katerina is trying to earn her degree, while working at the factory and keeping an eye on shy Antonina and party-lover Lyudmila. At one of the parties initiated by Lyudmila, she meets Rudolf, who eventually seduces Katerina, leaving her pregnant. Rudolf, who is not fascinated by the idea of marriage, disappears from Katerina’s life. At the same time Antonina gets married to a good man and Lyudmila takes life as a lottery, in which life in the city is her lucky ticket.  

Katerina gives a birth to a girl, and with that we make 20 year leap in the women lives. Lydmila is divorced – her husband an ex-hockey star is now alcoholic; Antonina is taking care of her children and husband, living happily. Katerina reached heights at her work, now she is a director of large factory. Disappointed in life, she gives her attention to her daughter Alexandra and her work. But Katerina’s life takes another turn when she meets Gosha -instead of long years of loneliness and disappointment comes the final happiness, for which Katerina has to fight. 

Katerina’s life can be easily compared Cinderella’s, strong woman who is missing love that she eventually finds. However, Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears itself portrays something deeper than the typical love story. If the first plot of the movie – the reward of hard-working socialistic woman comes, can get lost through the years, the second plot of – lonely woman eventually finding her prince, seems like an undying topic in the movie world. Director did a fantastic job on portraying simple, but twisting life of a woman, the hot topic of 1970s and 80s.  

Film has a deeper meaning to it on multiple levels; it also portrays the death of morals (killed by younger generations, such as premarital sex), the greed for better position (Rudolf’s mother, who believes Katerina is from rich family, worships her), surreal life that public was thirsty for.  
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears had won recognition around the world, not only because it won Oscar in 1981 for the Best Foreign Language Film, but also because women from different countries can somewhat relate to this fairy tale. Maybe Menshov did accomplish his mission – he gave hope for those who had achieved a lot in their lives, but still have something missing. I definitely recommend this movie, I am sure both men and women, single or in relationship, would enjoy it!

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