Anna Dyukova

A story about twin brothers from a family of hereditary military sailors. Their father, a brave sea captain, dreams that his sons graduate from the legendary Nakhimov school and continue the family dynasty in the navy. However, the guys themselves do not think about the sea service at all. Like most teenagers today, all they want is fun and easy money. These desires lead the heroes to the gang of the local "leader" of youth, from which it will be extremely difficult for them to get out without the support of their native school.

In the freezing cold of occupied Leningrad, a group of children is sent to a so-called “children’s shelter” — a place where hunger, brutal punishment, and forced labor await, and where they are even used as blood donors for wounded German soldiers. Fear, despair, and the constant threat of death haunt their every moment. Yet, amidst the cruelty, they find strength and begin secretly planning their escape. Every small act of defiance becomes a spark of hope. In the face of unimaginable terror, they fight to survive and cling to the fragile possibility of freedom.

Leningrad, late 80s. Irina, the composer's daughter, grew up longing for a great father, who is always busy only with music. Now, after his sudden death, she cannot cope with the feeling of emptiness. Thanks to a sudden meeting, she realizes her place in her father's life.

A ghost and a French marquis wander through the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, encountering scenes from many different periods of its history.

Paul is agonising over his interpretation of 'Uncle Vanya' and, paralysed by anxiety, stumbles upon a solution via a New Yorker article about a high-tech company promising to alleviate suffering by extracting souls. He enlists their services—only to discover that his soul is the shape and size of a chickpea.