What Is Dauria About?
The premise of Dauria in 353 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the remote reaches of Siberia, a tight‑knit Cossack village clings to centuries‑old customs while the distant rumblings of the First World War and the early sparks of the October Revolution begin to stir the air. The endless taiga, the frozen expanse of Lake Baikal, and the low, steady rhythm of communal life create a landscape that feels both timeless and on the edge of a seismic shift. The film’s tone is sweeping yet intimate, blending the grandeur of history with the whispered concerns of a community that has always measured its future by the weight of its past.
At the heart of this world stands Roman Ulybin, a restless young Cossack whose immediate worries revolve around love and honor. His heart is set on the beautiful Dashutka, a match that pits him against the confident merchant Alyoshka in a rivalry that is as much about personal pride as it is about the expectations of their families. Roman’s father, Severian Ulybin, embodies the stern, venerable side of Cossack tradition, while the village’s Ataman presides over the collective with a firm yet weary hand. These relationships sketch a portrait of a young man caught between youthful desire and the weight of inherited duty.
As the old hierarchies begin to loosen, the village feels the pull of larger forces reshaping the nation. The atmosphere is charged with a restless energy: whispered debates in the tavern, the quiet resolve of elders, and the restless glint in Roman’s eyes as he senses that the world he knows is about to be altered irrevocably. The clash between steadfast customs and the dawning promise of equality creates an undercurrent that drives the story forward, hinting at the choices that will test loyalty, love, and identity.
The film invites the audience to linger on the stark beauty of the Siberian wilderness while feeling the tremors of history reaching the farthest homesteads. It is a meditation on how personal ambitions intertwine with the tide of revolution, leaving Roman poised on the threshold of a life that could either uphold the old ways or embrace the tumultuous promise of a new order.
What Happens in Dauria?
The complete story of Dauria, from the first scene to the last, in 421 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
This epic drama unfolds in the Siberian province of Dauria, where a traditional Cossack village lives under the steady hand of a formidable Ataman Ataman. Set against the backdrop of the First World War and the early days of the Russian revolution, the story follows life, love, and loyalty as a close-knit community and its outlying kin are drawn into a nation’s upheaval.
The heart of the tale centers on Roman Ulybin, a young man whose passion for the beautiful Dashutka tests the limits of his family’s old rituals. His father, Severian Ulybin Severian Ulybin, is a proud elder who resents his estranged brother Vasiliy Ulybin for secretly embracing the Red revolutionaries. The family dynamics are tempered by a long-standing tradition: a Matchmaker, embodied by Svatya, is needed to broker a proper match with Dashutka before a rival wedding eclipses everyone.
As Roman’s longing grows, he chooses to leave home and follow his uncle into a world torn by war and ideology. The action widens when he is pulled into a mission to seize the Bank of Russia in Chita, a task tied to the Red revolutionaries. Coinciding with this mission, an anarchist gang led by a Navy deserter named Lavrov stages its own robbery, aiming to flee with gold to Manchuria. In the ensuing clash inside the bank, Roman is badly wounded but escapes with a small band into the taiga, only to encounter the advancing White Army and their pursuit.
Captured by anti-communist Cossacks, he faces death by firing squad but slips away by leaping into a river. After healing at Dashutka’s farmhouse, who is now alone and caring for him, Roman returns to visit his parents and learns that Severian has been forced into service with the White Army. Amid the tension, the anti-communist Ataman tries to arrest him, but Severian hides his son and helps him escape. Roman reconnects with the Red revolutionaries, plunging back into a conflict that pits loyalty to family against fidelity to a broader political cause.
The conflict escalates as a White Army detachment, guided by a ruthless executioner, brutalizes those who resist, and the village’s leader Ataman suffers a savage torture. The moment of reckoning comes when Severian is murdered by another executioner in front of the villagers, and Roman arrives as the aggressors flee, finding his mother in tears over his father’s lifeless body. The film closes on a world in convulsive change, where tradition is tested, love endures, and a family is torn apart by the sweeping violence of history.
Dauria Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Village life under Ataman” to “Severian's murder and Roman's return”. 14 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Village life under Ataman
In the Siberian Cossack province of Dauria, the village life is guided by a strong Ataman and strict traditional codes. The people live by ritual, honor, and clan loyalty, while young Roman Ulybin feels the weight of a rigid hierarchy. His father Severian's contempt for his brother Vasili destabilizes his own standing in the community and heightens his sense of isolation.
When:World War I era Where:Dauria, Siberia
- 2
The matchmaking and the wedding contrast
Roman asks his father to send a Matchmaker to pursue Dashutka, but Severian lacks the funds for the ritual. Meanwhile, a wealthy crook hires the same Matchmaker and the crook's son enjoys a lavish wedding with singing, dancing, and drinking. The contrast foreshadows class tensions that will ripple through the coming upheaval.
When:Pre-revolutionary, WWI era Where:Severian's home, village
- 3
Departure to the Red Revolution
Frustrated by family obstacles, Roman leaves his father's home to follow his uncle Vasili into the Red revolutionary movement. He steps into the chaotic clash of loyalties that will define his fate. The journey marks a turning point from tribal life to political struggle.
When:Early stage of Russian Civil War Where:From village to taiga
- 4
Bank mission begins
During the civil war, Vasili orders Roman to seize the treasures of the Bank of Russia in Chita. He enters the city amid war-time turmoil, aware that the mission could determine the fates of many. The stakes are high, fueling tension with both his allies and enemies.
When:Russian Civil War Where:Bank of Russia, Chita
- 5
Anarchist bank robbery
An anarchist gang led by Lavrov robs the bank to finance a rapid escape to Manchuria with the stolen gold. The heist unfolds amid gunfire and alarms, blurring lines between revolution, crime, and survival. Roman finds himself in the thick of a chaotic collapse of order.
When:Russian Civil War Where:Bank of Russia, Chita
- 6
Injury and escape to the taiga
Roman fights the anarchists for the gold inside the bank and is badly injured in the process. He escapes with a small group, fleeing into the taiga where the wilderness provides a fragile refuge. The harsh landscape becomes his new battleground.
When:Russian Civil War Where:Inside the Bank; Taiga wilderness
- 7
White Army attack
A detachment of the White Army assaults the hidden base in the woods, inflicting fear and chaos on Roman and his companions. They scramble to defend their position as the tide of war shifts against the Reds. The confrontation accelerates the collapse of their fragile refuge.
When:During Civil War Where:Taiga woods
- 8
Death sentence and river escape
Roman and his men are captured by anti-communist Cossacks and sentenced to death by firing squad. He miraculously escapes by leaping into a small river before the shot is fired. The escape tastes of luck and determination in a brutal war-torn landscape.
When:Post-capture Where:Taiga/river
- 9
Dashutka tends the wounded
After his escape, Roman finds Dashutka at her farmhouse where she cares for him as he heals. The reunion rekindles his longing and grounds him in a personal stake amid the broader upheaval. Their renewed bond contrasts with the violence of the civil war around them.
When:After escape Where:Dashutka's farmhouse
- 10
Revelation of Severian's fate
Roman visits his parents and learns that Severian was forced into service in the anti-communist White Army. The revelation hardens his resolve and deepens the personal cost of the conflict. Family ties and loyalties are tested to their breaking points.
When:Post-healing Where:Parents' home
Show the other 4 events of Dauria Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Ataman's arrest attempt
While resting at his parents' home, the anti-communist Ataman tries to arrest Roman. Severian manages to hide his son and help him escape, exposing the dangerous crosswinds of loyalty in this war-torn region. The family becomes a refuge amid the cycles of pursuit.
When:Post-visit Where:Parents' home
- 12
Rejoining the Reds
Roman reunites with Vasili and the Red revolutionaries, recommitting to the cause amid mounting violence. The internal conflicts within his family mirror the larger struggle between supporters and opponents of the revolution. The narrative moves back toward organized political action.
When:After escape Where:With Red revolutionaries
- 13
White Army brutality in the village
A detachment of the White Army arrives to brutalize and humiliate those not loyal to the Tsar, symbolizing the cruelty of wartime occupation. The village endures torture and fear as the attackers assert dominance. This scene foreshadows the tragedy to come within the community.
When:During Civil War Where:Village
- 14
Severian's murder and Roman's return
In a brutal moment, Severian is murdered by an executioner in front of the watching villagers. Roman arrives just as the attackers flee, overwhelmed by grief as his mother weeps over his father's body. The death marks a crushing personal blow amid the political violence.
When:End of the sequence Where:Parents' home/village
Who Are the Main Characters in Dauria?
13 characters, among them Roman Ulybin (Vitaly Solomin), Vasiliy Ulybin (Vasiliy Shukshin) and Severian Ulybin (Petr Shelokhonov): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- RU
Roman Ulybin (Vitaly Solomin)
Played by Vitali Solomin
A passionate, loving young Cossack torn between loyalty to his family and the pull of the Red revolutionary movement. He longs for Dashutka and seeks the matchmaker’s aid, but financial constraints threaten traditional courtship. His journey through love, injury, and war tests his resolve and resilience.
- 💖 Romantic
- ⚔️ Impulsive
- 🛡️ Loyal
- VU
Vasiliy Ulybin (Vasiliy Shukshin)
Played by Vasiliy Shukshin
Roman’s uncle and a rising Red revolutionary who embodies the new political zeal. He leads and defends revolutionary aims, pulling Roman into the broader conflict. His devotion to the cause often puts him at odds with traditional family expectations.
- 🔥 Charismatic
- 🧭 Revolutionary
- 🛡️ Protective
- SU
Severian Ulybin (Petr Shelokhonov)
Played by Petr Shelokhonov
The stern, traditional father who despises his brother’s Red affiliations. He shoulders family duties and attempts to shield his son from danger, even as war and shifting loyalties pull the family apart. His eventual fate marks a turning point for the village’s moral order.
- 🧭 Patriarch
- 🗡️ Authoritarian
- 🛡️ Protective
- S(
Svatya (Lidiya Fedoseyeva-Shukshina)
Played by Lidiya Fedoseyeva-Shukshina
The village matchmaker who represents tradition and communal ties. She navigates social expectations and helps orchestrate rites of courtship, even when money and status complicate those traditions. Her role underscores the continuity of cultural practices amid upheaval.
- 🎎 Traditionalist
- 💬 Social mediator
- 🧭 Pragmatic
- A(
Ataman (Efim Kopelyan)
Played by Efim Kopelyan
The powerful village leader whose authority shapes daily life and the course of local events. His decisions influence who fights whom and who receives protection, making him a pivotal figure in the community’s response to war and revolution.
- 🔥 Dominant
- 🧭 Strategic
- 🛡️ Protective
- AK
Agrafena Kozulina (Lyubov Malinovskaya)
Played by Lyubov Malinovskaya
A strong-willed member of the Kozulin family, she embodies the personal and familial stakes tied to wealth, status, and social norms. Her presence highlights how money and reputation interact with traditional expectations during times of upheaval.
- ❤️ Family
- 🗝️ Status
- 🛡️ Protective
- YK
Yepifan Kozulin (Fyodor Odinokov)
Played by Fyodor Odinokov
A key patriarchal figure tied to the Kozulin clan, whose actions reflect the tensions between old-money privilege and the revolutionary currents sweeping the region. His choices affect the fate of those around him.
- 💼 Wealth
- 🗡️ Power
- 🛡️ Guarded
- SN
Semen Nagorny (Yuri Solomin)
Played by Yuriy Solomin
A member of the village, described by the cast as Semen Nagorny, whose role intersects with the shifting loyalties of the period. He represents the everyday person swept up in larger political events.
- 🕊️ Peacemaker
- 🗡️ Courage
- AU
Avdotya Ulybina (Vera Kuznetsova)
Played by Vera Kuznetsova
A maternal, protective presence within the Ulybin family. Her support helps sustain the family through hardship, loss, and the violence surrounding the conflict.
- 👩 Nurturing
- 🛡️ Protective
- DА
Ded Андрей Ulybin (Arkadi Trusov)
Played by Arkadi Trusov
The elder Ulybin, a traditionalist who embodies the village’s memory and continuity. His perspective anchors family lineage as the world around him churns with revolution and war.
- 🧓 Traditionalist
- 🗺️ Keeper
- A(
Alexei (Vladimir Losev)
Played by Vladimir Losev
A young figure in the story whose exact role is not detailed in the summary, but who stands within the Ulybin circle during a tumultuous era. His presence hints at the broader network of family and community.
- 🔍 Unknown role
- 🧭 Observer
- DM
Dmitriy Masanov as Chepalov
Played by Dmitriy Masanov
A member of the group involved in the taiga-bound struggles and the conflict surrounding the bank raid and pursuit. His involvement underscores the danger and chaos of the period.
- 🗡️ Fighter
- 🛡️ Survivor
- SD
Sergey Dvoretskiy as казак
Played by Sergey Dvoretskiy
A Cossack figure that appears within the tapestry of the village’s dynamics during the civil conflict. He represents the martial aspects of Cossack life amid the revolutionary upheaval.
- ⚔️ Warrior
- 🛡️ Loyalist
Where and When Is Dauria Set?
Dauria is set in Dauria and Chita (World War I era and Russian Civil War). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
World War I era and Russian Civil War
The story unfolds during the First World War and the ensuing Russian Civil War, a period of upheaval that unsettles long-standing customs. Families and factions shift loyalties as Red revolutionaries and anti-communist forces clash across the countryside. The chaos of war tests personal bonds and traditional ways of life in the village.
Where
Dauria, Chita
Dauria is a remote Siberian province depicted as a rugged, traditional Cossack village. The film focuses on a tightly knit community built around the ataman's rule and a code of honor handed down through generations. Life here is framed by the taiga landscape, wooden houses, and seasonal cycles that shape the people's choices and loyalties.
- 🏔️ Siberian plains
- 🛖 Cossack village
What Are the Themes of Dauria?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Loyalty, Tradition and Conflict.
-
01
Loyalty
Loyalty is tested as family ties collide with political ideals. Roman must navigate his love for Dashutka with the pressures of an older generation that sides with or against revolution. The conflict between allegiance to kin and to a broader cause drives the characters toward risky choices and tense confrontations.
-
02
Tradition
The film centers on traditional Cossack life, including arranged matchmaking and communal ceremonies that define social status. When economic hardship blocks a father’s ability to afford a matchmaker, the plot contrasts old customs with new wealth and influence. These rituals highlight the community’s reliance on shared culture even as it is pulled apart by war.
-
03
Conflict
Conflict erupts on multiple fronts: personal, political, and military. The bank raid, the fight between Red revolutionaries and anti-communist forces, and the executioner's brutality reveal a society fractured by competing powers. Violence reshapes lives, ends generations of peace, and forces characters to redefine their paths.
What Kind of Film Is Dauria?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A sweeping and emotionally heavy historical epic that immerses the viewer in the brutal turbulence of the Russian Civil War, where personal passions and family loyalties are torn apart by political violence.
- epic
- turbulent
- gritty
- melancholic
- tense
- passionate
- cossack life
- russian revolution
- family conflict
- political upheaval
Content notes: war violence, torture, execution, family trauma.
Quiz
How well do you remember Dauria? Test yourself on the story.
