The genius of veteran Russian author adapted on screen

Pera Films proudly presents "The Sky Sparkles in Praise of Chekhov" film program, which explores Russian writer Anton Chekov's accomplished works through the lenses of predominantly Soviet and Russian filmmakers. Based on two works by Chekhov, the play "Tatiana Repina" and the short story "Difficult People," "Chekhov's Motifs" is a fascinating two-layered production. The film begins with a young man returning to his small village to borrow money, which turns out to be a request that sets off a bitter confrontation between him and his father. After the son runs out of the house, he walks into a wedding service taking place in the local Orthodox Church. The groom is an overweight opera singer, and the bride and her family are grotesque examples of Russia's nouveaux riches.

When: Feb. 19

Where: Pera Museum