The Silver Skates

A Russian historical drama with elements of crime melodrama and adventure, created in 2020 under the direction of director Mikhail Lokshin. The action unfolds in St. Petersburg at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, where the destinies of two young people intertwine against the backdrop of the city's winter landscapes. Matvey (Fyodor Fedotov), the son of a lamplighter, works as a delivery boy in a bakery and uses his antique Dutch skates for quick deliveries along the frozen canals. Alisa (Sofya Priss), the daughter of high-ranking official Nikolai Vyazemsky (Alexei Guskov), is passionate about chemistry and dreams of a scientific career, despite her father's resistance, who believes that women have no place in science. After losing his job and facing financial difficulties due to his father's illness, Matvey joins a gang of skating thieves led by the charismatic Alex (Kirill Zaytsev), who adheres to Marxist ideas of expropriation. A chance meeting between Matvey and Alisa develops into a deep affection, despite social barriers and the dangers associated with Matvey's criminal activities. The film combines elements of romance, social drama, and adventure, reflecting the contrasts of the era and the aspirations of young people for freedom and self-realization.