Жил-был пёс

The story centers on former boxing champion Evgeny Polkanov. After his Olympic defeat, his life went downhill: his athletic career ended, his wife left him, taking their son, and all that remains is a routine job as a bodyguard for the narcissistic businessman Titorenko. But Zhenya loses even this—he's left on the street with a black mark after accidentally breaking his boss's nose. Against the backdrop of all these events, the effects of an old head injury worsen, and he begins to see the Wolf from the cartoon "Once Upon a Time There Lived a Dog." Sarcastic and brash, he becomes the embodiment of an inner voice and the former athlete's constant companion. It is he who pushes Zhenya to pull off a scam just like in the cartoon. The plan seems flawless: kidnap Titorenko's daughter and then heroically "rescue" her in order to get his job back and restore his relationship with his family.

Directed by Stepan Gordeev, Жил-был пёс leans on a strong ensemble — Pavel Priluchnyy, Ulyana Kvitovskaya, Nikita Kologrivyy — 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 comedy titles of 0.