The Year of the Dog () is a 1994 romantic drama film directed by Semyon Aranovich and written by Zoya Kudrya. An international co-production between Russia and France, it stars Inna Churikova, Igor Sklyar, and Aleksandr Feklistov. It follows a recently released ex-convict who struggles to reintegrate into society and becomes involved with a middle-aged woman, leading to an unexpected relationship.
The film had its world premiere at the 44th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution. At the 1994 Nika Awards, it received two nominations: Best Actor (for Sklyar) and Best Composer (for Karavaychuk).
Former criminal Sergei meets Vera - an elderly unhappy woman who lives in a dormitory. After Sergei commits another crime, they run together and along the way they accidentally get into a zone contaminated by radiation. Sergei decides to stay there, but Vera does not leave him. At that moment three looters come to the territory.