The heroes of Soviet melodramas courageously overcame all obstacles in the name of love. They fought and conquered disease and even death. But in real life, the actors who embodied these melodramatic images were often helpless before the traps of fate. What challenge was filming a film about happy motherhood for Natalya Gundareva? Why did Zarechnaya Street become a dead end for the leading actress?

Andrei Tarkovsky is the most famous Russian director, often called a genius during his lifetime. He made relatively few films, but each has become a classic of world cinema, including "Andrei Rublev," "Solaris," "Mirror," and "Stalker." His films seem to be crafted from air, water, fire, deep emotions, and even his own dreams. This art is profoundly sincere and confessional, but what about the creator behind it? What was this god-like figure like, living a mortal life filled with weaknesses, fears, and doubts?