This is a film that features the music of Dmitri Shoshtakovich http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKlS2Ez2UqY for example is his famous Waltz number two. This film is a masterpiece for this fact alone. It may be a cloudy reflection of post war Soviet, with trimmings of ideology but who better than the Nationalist Dmitri Shoshtakovich to set the music. For those who do not know, Dmitri Shoshtakovich is amongst the greatest composers to have lived. The movie is particularly sweet at times with trimmings of innocence, there is a vitality and energy that is timeless. The cinematography is always beautiful with wonderful vistas and excellent colour. So, this is truly a period piece, this in fact is indeed a work of art.