The series "Life and Fate" based on the novel of the same name by Vasily Grossman was released on television in 2012. Director Sergei Ursulyak and screenwriter Eduard Volodarsky in 12 episodes presented the audience with their reading of the novel, which was banned for publication in Soviet times. The plot focuses on the Battle of Stalingrad, which is directly or indirectly related to the fate of the characters in the series.
The film takes place in 1942-1943. The heroes of several storylines, related by kinship, find themselves in different parts of the country, engulfed by the fire of war. And each person at this fracture of fate faces his decisive, fateful choice.
Scientist's choice
In Kazan, a talented nuclear physicist, a Jew Victor Shtrum (actor - Sergey Makovetsky) works at the evacuated scientific institute. The scientist makes an important discovery that can lead to the creation of an atomic bomb. But the institute’s leadership closes the project because of Strum’s kinship with "enemies of the people" and his nationality. Strum becomes an outcast and is forced to leave work, yesterday's friends and colleagues turn his back on him.
Suddenly, after a phone call in the scientist’s apartment, the voice of Stalin himself is heard. The country needs the atomic bomb more than ever: the leader wishes the scientist success, expresses the hope that nothing hinders the project. And immediately, the former persecutors are ready to provide Strum with as many people, means, a better laboratory as possible - if only he would continue to work.
An honest and conscientious Victor painfully makes a choice between the violated dignity of a person and the creative impulse of a scientist. The choice was made: but returning to work, Victor feels that he lost in this battle.
Military choice
The theater of war is shown in the series through the eyes of Anatoly Strum (played by Nikita Tezin), the stepson of the scientist. After graduating from a military school, the young lieutenant goes to defend Stalingrad. In the heat of battle, he ends up at House No. 6, which the soldiers under the command of Captain Grekov refuse to turn in to the enemy, contrary to direct orders from the headquarters. Here he is waiting for an unexpected gift of fate: he meets a girl radio operator Katya, love breaks out.
Lieutenant Strum also faces a choice - whether to give his comrades-in-arms at home No. 6 to the command court or return to them and Katya to certain death. Tolya makes the only right choice for himself - and death comes with the explosion of a German grenade. Katya dies instantly, and Tolya, waking up in a hospital, realizes that he has lost his love and refuses to live.
Lyudmila Strum, having traveled a long way to the hospital in the hope of finding a recovering son there, cries on his grave, covering the ground with a downy shawl.
