Top 5 Soviet movies that were shelved for years
Aleksandr Askoldov/Gorky Film Studio, 1967
Some Soviet filmmakers had their unconventional movies kept on the shelf for decades. Censors had the privilege of withdrawing movies on ideological grounds, banning certain productions from being released, but mostly for fear they would “rock the boat”, jeopardizing the idea of building “the Radiant Future”.
We’ve chosen five Soviet movies that only hit the silver screen two decades after they were first made.
1. ‘Asya’s Happiness’ (1967)
Asya Klyachina (portrayed by Iya Savina) is a crippled cook on a collective farm in the middle of nowhere. She is in love with Stepan, a featherbrained, irresponsible and narcissistic driver who doesn’t care about her. What’s worse, Asya is pregnant and naively expects Stepan to be a gentleman and propose to her. But Stepan treats Asya like a doormat, claims the baby is not his and suggests that Asya marry someone else.