| A Cruel Romance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Eldar Ryazanov |
| Screenplay by | Eldar Ryazanov |
| Based on | Without a Dowry by Alexander Ostrovsky |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Vadim Alisov |
| Music by | Andrey Petrov |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 142 minutes |
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Language | Russian |
A Cruel Romance (Russian: Жестокий романс, romanized: Zhestokiy romans) is a 1984 Russian romantic drama directed by Eldar Ryazanov.[1] It is based on Alexander Ostrovsky's classic play Without a Dowry (1878).[2] which had earlier been adapted into a film in 1937. The main female role was played by Larisa Guzeyeva in her cinematic debut.
The film was shot on location in the Upper Volga region, including Kostroma.[3][4] It features a set of Russian romances written by Bella Akhmadulina, Marina Tsvetaeva and Eldar Ryazanov, composed by Andrey Petrov and Nina Shatskaya and performed by Valentina Ponomaryova. These songs have gained widespread popularity in Russia.