Katya Kabanova (1998)

Boris Grigoryevich is living with his rich uncle, Dikoy, in a small town on the banks of the Volga. He has fallen in love with Katya, the beautiful wife of Tichon Kabanov.
It is Sunday. The Kabanov family returns from church, led by Kabanicha, Tichon’s mother. She tells her son it is time for him to leave for the market at Kazan and complains that, since his marriage to Katya, he has not shown her the respect she is due.

Later, inside the house, Katya pours out her unhappiness to Varvara, a foster child in the Kabanov household. She laments the loss of her freedom and confesses that she is tempted to sin. Tichon announces that he must leave for Kazan and, despite Katya’s protests, refuses to take her with him or remain at home. She begs him to make her swear not even to speak to a stranger while he is away.

Kabanicha continues to nag Katya. After she leaves, Varvara reveals that she has tricked her and taken her key to the garden gate. She goes out, leaving the key behind. Katya resists the temptation at first but eventually yields to her longing to see Boris.

After a brief encounter between Kabanicha and the drunken Dikoy, the scene moves to the garden below the house. Varvara’s lover, Kudryash, arrives and is surprised to see Boris. Kudryash warns him of the danger of loving a married woman, but Boris is too far gone to listen. After Varvara and Kudryash leave, Katya comes out of the house, and she and Boris declare their love for each other “unto the world’s end.”

Ten days later, a violent storm rages, which Dikoy insists is a warning from God. Varvara arrives, warning Boris that Tichon has returned home, nearly driving Katya out of her senses. Katya is led in by Kabanicha and, as the rain intensifies, she not only confesses her adultery but names Boris as her lover — then rushes out into the storm.

Distraught, Katya calls out for Boris. They embrace for the last time — his uncle has ordered him to leave the village forever. After he is gone, she throws herself into the river. When Dikoy carries her body up onto the bank, the last words are spoken by Kabanicha: “Let me thank you, friends and neighbors, for your kindness.”

JoAnne Akalaitis