Chasing Two Hares 1961

In the atmospheric setting of late 19th century Kyiv, the story unfolds around Oleg Borisov, who plays Svyryd Petrovych Holokhvosty, a charming but somewhat frivolous barber facing a sudden financial downturn. After going bankrupt and being forced to close his barbershop, Svyryd finds himself in a bind. He learns that a wealthy man named Mr. Sirko, played by Mykola Yakovchenko, is offering a substantial dowry of ten thousand roubles for his less-than-attractive and unrefined daughter, Pronya, portrayed by Marharyta Krynytsyna. Seizing the opportunity, Svyryd decides to marry Pronya, aiming to settle his debts, but he schemes to finance the courtship by duping a German creditor.

One day, Svyryd, dressed in a new suit, parades around Saint Volodymyr Hill, showing off his attire to friends and acquaintances. During this outing, he secretly admires the stunning Halya, played by Nataliya Naum, and has a brief flirtation with her. However, her protective boyfriend, Stepan, disrupts their encounter, causing Svyryd to retreat. That evening, Svyryd takes Pronya to the cinema, where he falsely confesses love to her, and she, feeling hopeful, invites him to her home to formally propose marriage.

As the story progresses, Svyryd, feeling confident after a successful date, boasts among friends about his future plans with Pronya and his desire to start an affair with a beautiful woman. Later, he encounters Halya again in an alley and, in a reckless moment, falsely declares his love, claiming to be a wealthy suitor and eventually forcing himself into her embrace. Luckily, Halya’s mother, Sekleta Lymerykha, played by Nonna Koperzhynska, intervenes, warning him to stay away and making him swear on the steps of Saint Andrew’s Church to marry Halya, a promise he does not intend to keep since her heart truly belongs to Stepan.

The tension intensifies as Sekleta enters her sister Mrs. Sirko’s home unannounced, insulting her and her family, only to be swiftly sent out. Svyryd nearly misses the chance to propose to Pronya when Sekleta intervenes again. Later, Sekleta confronts Svyryd, forcing him into a carriage heading to her house, where guests gather for a lively celebration of Sekleta’s name day. During the festivities, Svyryd flirts and drinks with Sister Meroniya, played by Lyudmyla Alfimova.

As the celebration concludes, Sekleta publicly announces Svyryd’s engagement to Halya. Meanwhile, Pronya, who is aware of her cousin Halya’s feelings, feels embarrassed by the lowbrow nature of the party and attempts to distance herself from the festivities by seeking out Stepan. Halya, distressed, runs to him, only to find out from Stepan that Svyryd is a deceiver.

On the day of the wedding, curious friends and relatives gather, only to discover that Pronya is marrying Svyryd. In an ironic twist of fate, just as Svyryd approaches Pronya’s door, a black cat crosses his path, causing him to trip and fall into a puddle of dirt, destroying his wedding attire. The friends and family rush to stop the ceremony by alerting Sekleta, who then halts the wedding at Saint Andrew’s Church and exposes Svyryd’s true nature—declaring that he is already engaged to Halya. Pronya, heartbroken, collapses from shock.

Svyryd attempts to leave quietly, but Sekleta demands that he marry Halya instead. His plans quickly unravel when creditors and bill collectors arrive, revealing his bankruptcy and financial ruin, prompting him to leave amidst a flurry of disappointment and chaos. The story vividly captures themes of deception, social class, family, and the fleeting nature of appearances, set against the richly detailed backdrop of Kyiv’s historic streets and customs.