Made the year before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, this "visually astonishing, erotically charged and emotionally jarring" (The New York Times) film captures the battle-weary attitude of the Russian people as well as a sexual ambiguity among soldiers that had never been portrayed in prior Russian cinema. The film's subtle use of homoerotic imagery and subtext caused it to be banned by Soviet censors when first released. Five young Red Army recruits struggle to preserve their humanity and compassion as each day seems to bring another act of senseless violence. In Russian with English subtitles.