Synopsis

Natalia Petrovna is a wife of a rich landowner, a mother and a chaperone, which makes her a very typical female member of the Russian upper class community of the late 19^th century. She successfully performs the role set by a patriarchal society and seems to be quite content with her life. Once there appears a young and a very attractive teacher Alexei on her path as a tutor to her son. Soon he strikes a spark of love and the both plunge into the affair with uncontrolled infatuation. Certainly there are hindrances for the couple, not only age and class differences but also Natalia’s older husband who begins to have his suspicions, and a family friend Ratikin who himself is falling in love with Natalia. In addition, Natalia’s ward Vera is falling in love with Alexei too, being the second woman mentioned in the title. This melodrama is a film adaptation of a classic theatre play “A Month in the Country” by Ivan Turgenev that was once proclaimed scandalous. Touching upon heartache, love and intriguery, this story brings up a question whether one may put personal happiness before family values. This pompous costume drama is set against a vivid picturesque country landscape and features an international cast with Ralph Fiennes playing Rakitin and Sylvie Testud as French ward Vera.

Guests

Vera Glagoleva

Vera Glagoleva
Director, producer Two Women
In Vienna: October 10-12