Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears.
The movie
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears
The phrase "Moscow does not believe in tears" comes from an old Russian proverb meaning that tears, complaints, and problems don't earn sympathy or help in the capital city. The saying reflects the perception of Moscow as a harsh, unforgiving metropolis where only strength and determination lead to success. Yet the film's narrative ultimately suggests that while Moscow may not believe in tears, it does believe in love.
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (Russian: Москва слезам не верит) is a landmark 1980 Soviet romantic drama that captured hearts worldwide and earned the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1981123. Directed by Vladimir Menshov and written by Valentin Chernykh, this Mosfilm production starred Vera Alentova and Aleksey Batalov in what would become one of the most beloved films in Soviet cinema history14.
Plot and Structure
The film follows three young provincial women who arrive in Moscow in 1958 seeking love, happiness, and prosperity15. The story is divided into two parts, with a dramatic twenty-year time jump that showcases the characters' transformations over two decades.
Part One (1958) introduces Katerina, Lyudmila, and Antonina, who share a dormitory room while pursuing their dreams in the capital16. Katerina works in a factory while studying chemistry at night, Lyudmila works in a bakery but schemes to marry well, and Antonina, a construction worker, dates the kind but simple Nikolay16. When Katerina house-sits for wealthy relatives, Lyudmila convinces her to throw a dinner party, pretending they are the professor's daughters to attract successful Muscovite men16. This deception leads to Lyudmila meeting hockey star Sergei, while Katerina becomes involved with Rudolf, a television cameraman who abandons her upon discovering she's pregnant16.
Part Two (1978) reveals Katerina twenty years later as a successful factory director who has raised her daughter Alexandra alone, though she remains unlucky in love16. Her life changes when she meets Gosha, a working-class man who becomes the stable, loving presence she has long sought17.
Cultural Impact and Reception
The film became an unprecedented success, attracting approximately 90 million Soviet viewers to theaters despite being broadcast on television shortly after its theatrical release2. This massive popularity reflected the film's ability to resonate with ordinary Soviet citizens, particularly women who saw their own struggles and aspirations reflected in Katerina's journey58.
The movie's cultural significance extended far beyond entertainment. According to director Vladimir Menshov, U.S. President Ronald Reagan watched the film at least eight times before his 1985 meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, hoping to understand the "mysterious Russian soul"27. This anecdote illustrates how the film was perceived as a window into Soviet life and values during the Cold War era8.
The Title's Meaning
The phrase "Moscow does not believe in tears" comes from an old Russian proverb meaning that tears, complaints, and problems don't earn sympathy or help in the capital city98. The saying reflects the perception of Moscow as a harsh, unforgiving metropolis where only strength and determination lead to success8. Yet the film's narrative ultimately suggests that while Moscow may not believe in tears, it does believe in love10.
Musical Legacy
The film's theme song "Alexandra," composed by Sergey Nikitin with lyrics by multiple contributors including D. Sukharev, Yu. Vizbor, and Yu. Levitansky, became one of the most famous songs in Soviet cinema21011. The waltz-like melody perfectly captured the film's romantic and nostalgic atmosphere, contributing significantly to its enduring popularity1012.
Awards and Recognition
Beyond its Oscar victory, the film won the Gold Award at WorldFest Houston in 1981 and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1980313. In 2009, it received recognition at the MTV Movie Awards Russia as the Best Soviet Movie3. The Academy Award was particularly significant as it marked only the third time a Soviet film had won an Oscar14.
Cast and Production
Vera Alentova's portrayal of Katerina created an iconic character that embodied the Soviet everywoman - strong yet vulnerable, ambitious yet yearning for love57. Aleksey Batalov's Gosha represented the ideal Soviet man: authentic, dependable, and unpretentious despite his modest circumstances7. The supporting cast, including Irina Muravyova as Lyudmila and Raisa Ryazanova as Antonina, brought depth to this multigenerational story14.
Director Vladimir Menshov, who sadly passed away in 2021 from COVID-19 complications, was not permitted to travel to the United States for the Oscar ceremony due to Cold War restrictions, with his award being accepted by a Soviet cultural attaché2.
Legacy and Influence
The film's influence extended into contemporary culture, featuring prominently in the FX series "The Americans," where it was watched by characters in the Season 6 premiere and served as a metaphor for the life Elizabeth might have had in the USSR2. This usage demonstrates how the film continues to serve as a cultural touchstone for understanding Soviet life and values.
Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears remains a testament to the universal themes of resilience, love, and the pursuit of happiness, transcending its Soviet origins to speak to audiences across cultures and generations. Its blend of personal drama with broader social commentary created a work that was both intimately relatable and historically significant, explaining its enduring status as a masterpiece of world cinema157.