Yolki

The 2010 Russian New Year's anthology film, created by the studio "Bazelevs" under the guidance of producer and screenwriter Timur Bekmambetov, consists of eight novellas interconnected by the theory of six degrees of separation. The events unfold on December 31 across 11 Russian cities: Kaliningrad, Kazan, Perm, Ufa, Bavly, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Yakutsk, Novosibirsk, Saint Petersburg, and Moscow. The narrative centers on diverse characters whose fates intertwine on New Year's Eve. In Kaliningrad, orphan Varya, living in a children's home, claims that her father is the President of Russia and promises the other children that he will congratulate her with a special phrase. Facing skepticism, Varya decides to run away, but her friend Vova introduces her to the theory of six degrees of separation, initiating a chain of events connecting people across the country. In Kazan, student Misha, residing in a dormitory, maintains an online relationship with Lena from Switzerland. After receiving Vova's call, he promises to help convey the message to the President. In Yekaterinburg, snowboarder Kolyan and his skier friend argue about the superiority of their sports and organize a race in their apartment building, accidentally injuring an elderly neighbor, who is taken away by an ambulance. In Krasnoyarsk, a firefighter rescues a school principal stranded on a rooftop, sparking a romantic connection. In Moscow, businessman Boris meets an actor playing Ded Moroz (Father Frost), and together they attempt to retrieve a stolen Christmas tree. In Saint Petersburg, taxi driver Pyotr falls in love with pop diva Alisa and tries to gain her attention by pretending to be her bodyguard. In Ufa, a migrant worker from Central Asia tries to earn money by playing the role of Snegurochka (Snow Maiden). These stories intertwine, demonstrating how closely people are connected and how New Year's miracles occur through unexpected links and coincidences. The film received positive reviews for its warm atmosphere, the actors' performances, and the successful implementation of the six degrees of separation theory in the Russian context.