The Soviet Movie That Defines New Year

In Russia, a romantic comedy from 1976 is as vital to New Year traditions as the tree itself. Nearly every citizen watches this film every December 31st to feel at home.

The movie centers on a man who gets drunk and accidentally flies to a different city, only to find an identical apartment building with the exact same key. It became a cultural phenomenon because Soviet architecture was standardized to such an extreme that the plot was actually believable to millions. Today, the film remains an essential holiday staple that evokes deep nostalgia for an entire nation. Even decades later, it is broadcast annually as a mandatory part of the celebration.