Watch Irony of Fate or Enjoy your Bath

Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath is a classic Soviet romantic comedy that was first released in 1975. The film has become a beloved icon of Soviet and Russian culture, and is often shown on New Year's Eve as part of a longstanding Russian tradition. The film tells the story of a young surgeon named Zhenya, who lives in Moscow with his fiancée, Galya. On New Year's Eve, Zhenya and his friends gather at a banya (Russian sauna) and get drunk, before Zhenya accidentally boards a plane to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) instead of going home. Upon arriving in Leningrad, he goes to an apartment that he thinks belongs to his friends, but is actually the home of a woman named Nadya.

Despite some initial confusion, Zhenya and Nadya eventually fall in love, but their romance is complicated by the fact that they come from different social backgrounds and have different aspirations for their lives. In addition, Zhenya is already engaged to Galya, who is waiting for him back in Moscow.

The film's title, Irony of Fate, refers to the fact that Zhenya's fate seems to be determined by chance and circumstance, rather than by his own choices. The film is often seen as a commentary on the rigid social structure of Soviet society, which made it difficult for individuals to deviate from their pre-ordained paths in life.

The film's depiction of everyday life in the Soviet Union is one of its most enduring legacies. The scenes set in Moscow and Leningrad are filled with realistic details that capture the spirit of Soviet life in the 1970s, from the cramped apartment buildings to the ubiquitous snow and ice.

The film's soundtrack is also a beloved part of Russian culture. It includes several songs that have become popular standards, such as "Let It Be a Night," which is often played on New Year's Eve.

Overall, Irony of Fate is a charming and heartwarming film that has stood the test of time. Its themes of love, fate, and social class are universal, and its depiction of Soviet life has made it an enduring cultural touchstone in Russia and beyond.

Enjoy Your Bath, on the other hand, is a Soviet comedy film that was released in 1978. The film is set in a Moscow apartment building, where the residents are dealing with a plumbing problem that has left them without hot water. As a result, they must use a public bathhouse to wash themselves and their clothes.

The film follows several characters as they navigate the challenges of the bathing process, from finding a clean towel to avoiding unwanted attention from other bathers. The characters include an elderly couple who are afraid of catching a cold, a group of teenage girls who are ashamed of their bodies, and a working-class man who is trying to impress his girlfriend by pretending to be a member of the intellectual elite.

The film's title, Enjoy Your Bath, is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the difficulties of using a public bathhouse, which are depicted in a humorous and lighthearted manner. The film pokes fun at the Soviet system, which often failed to provide basic amenities like hot water to its citizens.

Enjoy Your Bath is a charming and entertaining film that offers a glimpse into everyday life in the Soviet Union. Its depiction of the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people has made it a beloved classic of Soviet cinema, and it remains a popular and enduring part of Russian culture today.