Plot synopsis

Gennady Shpalikov, a former student of the Suvorov Military Academy, dreamed of standing guard at the Mausoleum. But he did not become a soldier. At the age of 25, his name became known throughout the country: while studying at the famous Moscow Film Institute VGIK, he came up with and offered Georgy Danelia the script for his future film “I Walk Around Moscow”. By that time, Shpalikov had already written the script for “Ilyich Gate” for Marlen Khutsiev. Both films are considered a manifesto of the sixties generation, symbols of the “thaw” era. And the song “The Ship Deck Is Shaking Under My Feet”, written to Shpalikov’s verses, was played at all the country’s balls at that time. "The sun was reflected on Shpalikov's face and even on his pimples, he himself was a sun, a source of joy," Bella Akhmadulina would say about him.
Everything seemed to promise our hero a life of success and material comfort: the prestige of the "Top of the Class," as he was called at VGIK, talent, beauty, and adoration of all. Film studios all over the country were literally overwhelmed with Shpalikov's scripts. But the triumph of the film "I'm Walking Around Moscow" was the first - and only - in Shpalikov's life. It turned out that with the end of the thaw, Shpalikov and his heroes were no longer on the agenda.
The film "A Long Happy Life" is the only one Shpalikov made as a director. "You and Me," directed by Larisa Shepitko, caused a sensation at the Venice Film Festival. But this was not enough to make Shpalikov happy. All his life he had dreamed of the film "The Quay" where, as in the song, the ship would one day land. It was his favorite script. But "The Quay" was never filmed. Gradually, the charming Shpalikov, with his lack of success and alcohol, became a bum. "Russia is great, but I have no one to call." He was predicted a wonderful future, but he ended his life. It was November 1, 1974, he was 37 years old.

Selected in the following festivals or events :

- Festival ''Cinema and literature'', Gatchina (Russia), 2018

- "NIKA" Prizes, Moscow (Russia), 2018

- Golden Eagle awards, Moscow (Russia), 2018