A Girl with Character
"A tale of Siberian spirit and Moscow bureaucracy"
Plot
Varya Lugina, a determined and energetic young woman working at a Siberian mink farm, becomes frustrated with the incompetent management that is threatening the farm's success. She travels to Moscow to seek help from the Ministry of Agriculture, where she encounters bureaucratic obstacles and skeptical officials. Through her persistence and charm, Varya manages to win over the authorities and secure the support needed to save the struggling farm. The film follows her adventures as she navigates both professional challenges and romantic entanglements, ultimately triumphing through her unwavering character and determination.
About the Production
The film was produced during Stalin's purges but managed to avoid political controversy due to its light-hearted nature. It was one of the last comedies made before WWII dramatically changed Soviet cinema. The mink farm scenes were filmed on constructed sets as actual location shooting in Siberia was not feasible.
Historical Background
The film was released in September 1939, just as World War II was beginning in Europe with Germany's invasion of Poland. This timing significantly affected its distribution and reception. The late 1930s in the Soviet Union were marked by Stalin's Great Purge, which had decimated the cultural elite, including many filmmakers. Despite this, 1939 saw a brief relaxation in cultural restrictions, allowing for more entertainment-focused films. The mink farm theme reflected the Soviet Union's push for economic self-sufficiency and development of remote regions under the Five-Year Plans.
Why This Film Matters
A Girl with Character represents an important example of pre-war Soviet comedy, showcasing how filmmakers managed to create entertaining works within the constraints of socialist realism. The film's portrayal of a strong, independent female protagonist was progressive for its time and reflected Soviet ideals of the 'new Soviet woman.' Its success demonstrated that comedies could be both commercially successful and ideologically acceptable, influencing subsequent Soviet filmmaking. The film remains a valuable historical document of Soviet life and values on the eve of WWII.
Making Of
The production faced challenges typical of Soviet cinema in the late 1930s, including strict censorship and limited resources. Director Yudin, then relatively unknown, fought to maintain the film's comedic elements against pressure to include more overt socialist realism messaging. Valentina Serova's casting was controversial initially as she was considered too glamorous for the role of a Siberian farm worker, but her performance ultimately won over both critics and audiences. The film was shot quickly over three months during the summer of 1939, just weeks before the outbreak of WWII in Europe.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Anatoli Golovnya employed bright, clear lighting typical of Soviet comedies of the era, creating an optimistic visual tone. The Moscow scenes used sweeping camera movements to convey the grandeur of the Soviet capital, while the Siberia sequences employed warmer tones to suggest the rustic charm of the countryside. The film made innovative use of close-ups to highlight the emotional expressions of its characters, particularly in Serova's performance.
Innovations
While not groundbreaking technically, the film demonstrated solid craftsmanship in its use of sound recording and editing. The production team created convincing sets of both Siberian landscapes and Moscow interiors using the limited resources available at Mosfilm. The film's pacing and comedic timing were considered technically proficient for its era, with smooth transitions between dialogue and physical comedy sequences.
Music
The musical score was composed by Vano Muradeli, who created a lively, upbeat soundtrack that enhanced the film's comedic elements. The music incorporated elements of Russian folk melodies, particularly in scenes depicting Siberian life, while using more modern, orchestral arrangements for the Moscow sequences. The film featured several musical numbers that became popular in their own right, though no specific songs from the soundtrack achieved lasting fame outside the film.
Famous Quotes
Character is not given by nature, it's built through struggle and determination.
Even the coldest Siberian winter can't freeze a warm heart.
In Moscow, they have rules for everything except how to get things done.
A mink farm is like life - it needs constant attention and the right kind of care.
Memorable Scenes
- Varya's dramatic entrance at the Ministry of Agriculture, where she confronts skeptical officials with her Siberian directness
- The comedic sequence where Varya teaches stuffy Moscow bureaucrats about mink farming using improvised demonstrations
- The romantic scene between Varya and her love interest set against a Moscow evening backdrop
- The final celebration at the now-successful mink farm, bringing together Siberian workers and Moscow officials
Did You Know?
- This was director Konstantin Yudin's directorial debut, launching his successful career in Soviet comedy
- Valentina Serova became one of Stalin's favorite actresses after this film's success
- The film was briefly banned during WWII as Soviet authorities felt comedies were inappropriate during wartime
- The mink farm storyline was based on actual Soviet efforts to develop fur farming in remote regions
- Andrei Tutyshkin, who played the male lead, later became a prominent director himself
- The film was restored by Mosfilm in the 1970s and again in the 2000s
- Despite being a comedy, it contains subtle commentary on Soviet bureaucracy
- The film's success led to a sequel being planned, but WWII interrupted production
- Emma Tsesarskaya was already a veteran actress by 1939, having started in silent films
- The film was one of the few Soviet comedies of 1939 that survived Stalin's cultural purges
What Critics Said
Contemporary Soviet critics praised the film for its light-hearted approach and strong performances, particularly Valentina Serova's charismatic portrayal of Varya. The film was noted for successfully balancing entertainment with subtle ideological messaging. Western critics who saw the film during its limited international release were surprised by its sophistication and humor, challenging perceptions of Soviet cinema as purely propagandistic. Modern film historians consider it an important example of pre-war Soviet popular cinema and a significant work in Yudin's filmography.
What Audiences Thought
The film was enormously popular with Soviet audiences upon its release, becoming one of the highest-grossing domestic films of 1939. Viewers particularly enjoyed Serova's spirited performance and the film's gentle satire of bureaucracy. Despite being briefly pulled from circulation during WWII, it remained beloved by Soviet moviegoers and was frequently revived in post-war screenings. The film's popularity helped establish Valentina Serova as one of the Soviet Union's biggest stars of the 1940s.
Awards & Recognition
- Stalin Prize, Second Class (1941) - awarded to director Konstantin Yudin and lead actress Valentina Serova
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Earlier Soviet comedies of the 1930s
- Hollywood screwball comedies (though officially denied due to ideological concerns)
- Traditional Russian folk tales featuring clever protagonists
This Film Influenced
- Subsequent Soviet comedies featuring strong female leads
- Post-war Soviet films about regional development
- Later works by director Konstantin Yudin
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Film Restoration
The film has been preserved by the Gosfilmofond of Russia and has undergone digital restoration by Mosfilm. Original nitrate elements were successfully transferred to safety stock in the 1950s. A high-definition digital restoration was completed in 2012 as part of Mosfilm's classic film restoration program. The film is considered to be in good preservation condition with all reels intact.