When I Will Become a Giant 1979

Romance

Family

Runtime

84 mins

Language

Russian

Directed by

Inna Tumanyan

Made by

Gorky Film Studios

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When I Will Become a Giant Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for When I Will Become a Giant (1979). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Petya Kopeikin, Mikhail Efremov, a self-proclaimed troublemaker in his eighth grade, disrupts the school play Cyrano de Bergerac because of his dislike for his classmate Fedya Lastochkin, Andrey Vasilyev, who has been cast as Cyrano. This act sparks a Cyrano-like rivalry between Petya and Lastochkin, turning a simple school outcome into a clash of pride, wit, and moments of vulnerability.

Petya is an unassuming boy who, despite his short stature, tends to be at the center of attention. He hides a secret crush on Masha Goroshkina, Natalya Sezeman, while Masha herself is drawn to Koly Kristallov, a mediocre newcomer in the ninth grade, Aleksei Dmitriyev. In a bid to help Masha realize her feelings, Petya acts as a go-between, delivering notes from Masha to Kristallov. He even crafts verses for Kristallov to pass off as his own, choosing to be the quiet, self-effacing facilitator rather than the star of the moment.

Fedya Lastochkin seizes the opportunity to strike back, revealing Petya’s tender feelings for Masha to Kristallov. This intrusion jolts the fragile dynamic between the two boys and gives Kristallov leverage to confront Petya directly. With a blunt tone, Kristallov tells Petya that he is not someone Masha could genuinely like, a line that stings because it doubts Petya’s sincerity and presence in the girl’s world.

Neighbors by proximity—Petya and Masha share balconies that are close enough to overhear—means that Masha witnesses the confrontation from a nearby vantage point. This closeness becomes a crucial backdrop for the revelation that follows. When the exchange plays out in hearing distance, Masha begins to piece together who authored the poems and who truly has the heart behind the lines.

In the end, Masha’s understanding deepens: she sees Petya’s genuine affection and his noble, if understated, actions. She also recognizes Kristallov for what he really is—a hollow figure who lacks the depth she hoped to discover. The moment reframes the entire budding love triangle, shifting the focus from theater mischief to a clearer portrait of honesty, integrity, and the quiet courage of wanting the best for someone else. The story lingers on the emotional growth of a boy who chooses to act with integrity, even when it complicates the social dynamics around him, and on a girl who learns to value sincerity over appearance.

When I Will Become a Giant Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of When I Will Become a Giant (1979) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Petya disrupts the school play and sparks rivalry

During a school play rehearsal of Cyrano de Bergerac, Petya acts out and disrupts the performance because he dislikes his classmate Fedya who is chosen to play Cyrano. The interruption earns him the label 'troublemaker' from the teacher. The incident kicks off a Cyrano-like rivalry between Petya and Fedya.

During the school play rehearsal School auditorium

A Cyrano-like rivalry takes shape

The disruption sets off a rivalry between Petya and Fedya, each trying to outdo the other in front of classmates. Their antics feed the competition and escalate the tension in the class. This rivalry becomes a recurring undercurrent throughout the events.

In the days following the incident School

Petya's secret love for Masha

Petya, though short in stature, harbors a secret crush on Masha Goroshkina. He keeps his feelings hidden, even as he becomes entangled in school drama and peer dynamics. His longing shapes many of his later choices.

Earlier period School/enviroment

Masha's interest in Kristallov

Masha becomes interested in Koly Kristallov, a mediocre newcomer in the ninth grade. Her attraction to him drives the need for someone to act as a go-between. Petya agrees to fulfill that role, setting the plan in motion.

Around the time Masha shows interest School

Petya becomes Masha's go-between

Petya starts delivering notes from Masha to Kristallov, acting as the intermediary between the two. He even goes as far as passing along messages and arranging a way for Kristallov to receive Masha's affections. This role pulls him deeper into the scheme and his own deception starts to take shape.

During class days School corridors

Petya writes verses for Kristallov to pass

Knowing Masha's love of poetry, Petya creates verses for Kristallov to present as his own. He hopes to boost Kristallov's image and win Masha's affection indirectly. The ruse continues to strengthen while Petya maintains his selfless demeanor.

Over the period of the plan Petya's desk/home

Fedya reveals Petya's affections to Kristallov

Fedya uses the poems and Petya's apparent affection as leverage and exposes it to Kristallov. The revelation stings Petya, who fears the consequences in front of his rivals and Masha. The confrontation marks a turning point in how the trio's dynamics unfold.

After the notes and poems are circulating Kristallov's space/classroom

Kristallov confronts Petya

Kristallov confronts Petya, telling him that he's not someone Masha could like. The confrontation brings Petya's secret into the open and places him in a difficult position with both Masha and his rival.

Immediately after the revelation School

Masha overhears the exchange

Petya and Kristallov's exchange is overheard by Masha from nearby balconies, as she and Petya are neighbors. The overhearings reveal the truth behind who wrote the poems and why Petya acted as go-between. Masha begins to see the situation in a new light.

That moment Neighborhood balconies

Masha recognizes Petya's sincerity

Masha realizes that Petya's actions were born of sincere affection and noble intent, while Kristallov is revealed as an empty shell. The revelation shifts her perception of both boys and cements Petya's unspoken love in a new light.

Following the overhearing Neighborhood/home vicinity

When I Will Become a Giant Characters

Explore all characters from When I Will Become a Giant (1979). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Petya Kopeikin (Mikhail Efremov)

An eighth-grader who is insecure about his short stature and eager to be noticed. He harbors secret feelings for Masha Goroshkina and uses wit and small acts of kindness to navigate his affection. He orchestrates passing notes and writing poems for Kristallov, hoping to help Masha while staying true to his emotions.

🧒 Insecure 💘 Romantic 🕊️ Honest

Fedya Lastochkin (Andrey Vasilyev)

A confident classmate who relishes rivalry and uses scheming to challenge Petya. He exploits the Cyrano-like contest by revealing Petya's feelings to Kristallov, hoping to complicate the love triangle and assert his own dominance.

🎭 Show-off 🗡️ Rival 🧭 Cunning

Masha Goroshkina (Natalya Sezeman)

Petya's neighbor and crush, drawn to poetry and the idea of a Renaissance man in Kristallov. She is charmed by the poetic gesture but ultimately recognizes Petya's genuine affection after overhearing the confrontation.

💖 Romantic 📝 Poetic 👀 Observant

Koly Kristallov (Aleksei Dmitriyev)

A newcomer in the ninth grade who presents himself as a poet and Renaissance man, including being a basketball player. He is the target of Petya's and Lastochkin's schemes, and his hollow persona is exposed by the contrast with Petya's sincerity.

🎭 Pretender 🧭 Charmer 🏀 Athlete

Literature Teacher (Aleksandr Kuznetsov)

A school authority figure who frames Petya as a troublemaker and guides the class through the Cyrano-like scenario. He embodies the institutional perspective on classroom behavior and performance.

👨‍🏫 Authority 🗒️ Disciplinarian 🧭 Mentor

When I Will Become a Giant Settings

Learn where and when When I Will Become a Giant (1979) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Location

Russian secondary school and surrounding neighborhood

Most scenes unfold inside a Russian secondary school and the adjacent neighborhood. Classrooms, a school stage, and nearby balconies frame the Cyrano-like rivalry and Petya's secret admiration for Masha. The setting emphasizes everyday life where conversations and misunderstandings shape relationships.

🏫 School life 🏘️ Neighborhood life 🧭 Social dynamics

When I Will Become a Giant Themes

Discover the main themes in When I Will Become a Giant (1979). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💖

Love

Petya harbors secret feelings for Masha, choosing acts of kindness over bravado. He helps pass notes from Masha to Kristallov and even writes poems for him to pass as Kristallov's own, hoping to win her affection indirectly. When Kristallov exposes Petya's feelings, Masha overhears and discovers the truth behind the poems, which reveals Petya's sincere devotion. Her realization shows that genuine love is measured by honesty and integrity rather than grand gestures.

⚔️

Rivalry

Two rivals emerge: Petya and Lastochkin, the classmate chosen to play Cyrano. Their competition creates a tense dynamic in school performances and daily interactions. The rivalry pushes them to test each other's motives—ego versus authenticity.

📝

Poetry

Poetry acts as both bridge and mask in the story. Petya writes verses to pass off as Kristallov's own, hoping to spark Masha's interest; the poems reveal his inner truth even when used as deception. When Masha overhears the confrontation, she discerns the sincerity behind the lines and the real author of the words. The scenes underscore how art can expose character more than appearances.

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When I Will Become a Giant Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of When I Will Become a Giant (1979). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a modest Russian town, the rhythm of everyday life is punctuated by the chatter of an eighth‑grade class and the looming excitement of a school production of Cyrano de Bergerac. The hallways hum with the mixture of teenage bravado and the earnest yearning for acceptance, creating a backdrop where literature and adolescent intrigue intersect. Within this close‑knit world, the stage becomes more than a performance space—it subtly mirrors the hidden battles and whispered confidences that shape the students’ lives.

At the heart of the story is Petya Kopeikin, a slight, quick‑witted boy whose love of poetry and literature sets him apart from his peers. Though he often finds himself the center of attention, his quiet nature masks a deep, unspoken affection for Masha Goroshkina, a classmate whose own heart seems to gravitate toward the newcomer Kolya Kristallov. Adding another layer to the dynamic is Fedya Lastochkin, whose own ambitions and pride spark a rivalry that echo the classic duel of words and honor found in Rostand’s play. The relationships among these characters are laced with humor, self‑sacrifice, and the kind of clever wordplay that feels both timeless and unmistakably youthful.

The film balances a gentle, almost nostalgic tone with a sharp, contemporary edge, inviting viewers to contemplate the quiet courage that resides in ordinary gestures. It paints a portrait of a boy who, despite his modest stature, carries a noble spirit reminiscent of Cyrano, choosing to act with integrity in a world that often rewards louder voices. Through its warm, slightly wry atmosphere, the narrative teases the audience with the promise of heartfelt growth, unspoken truths, and the enduring power of sincere, self‑less affection.

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