Mikhail Kalatozov’s lyrical portrait of lives torn apart by war is the only Soviet film to have won
the Palme d’Or, the Cannes Film Festival's highest honour.
The fates of young lovers Boris and Veronika are drastically changed by the outbreak of the Second World War when Boris is called up to fight on the front line.
A desolate Veronika, superbly played by Tatiana Samoylova, must learn to carry on without him.
In its portrait of this affecting story, this beautifully photographed and subtly powerful film highlights the war’s devastating effect upon the Russian people.