When the Song Does Not End...

A combination of performances by masters of their arts, this film takes place during the Leningradskoye Leto – the Leningrad "White Nights" annual summer musical festival, featuring music stars, young opera singers, ballet, pop, circus, and amateur artists. Reporters Kostya and Bob are rushing everywhere trying to document the entire festival. Beautiful young singer Svetlana is pursued throughout the festive events by a hopelessly shy police lieutenant, whose unexpected infatuation leaves him unable to speak, but gives him a beautiful baritone voice.

Directed by Roman Tikhomirov, When the Song Does Not End... leans on a strong ensemble — Aleksandr Bronevitsky, Muslim Magomayev, Georg Ots — 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 music titles of 1965.