The Unexpected is Near

Crowded alleys of the evening park, music, laughter, festive fireworks. And the two are talking about murder or suicide, about the syringe found in the dead woman's hands, about the time when death occurred. These two are employees of the criminal investigation department. They will have to find criminals in a large, busy business city who stole, cheated, and, if necessary, did not stop at murder, removing unintended witnesses or unreliable accomplices from their path.

Directed by Zagid Sabitov, The Unexpected is Near leans on a strong ensemble — Baba Annanov, Galina Yatskina, Nabi Rakhimov — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about mystery titles of 1971.