Murad Ibragimbekov

Blending dramatic situations with a documentary-influenced visual style, Happy Birthday looks in at a typical day in a Russian maternity hospital. The patients range from a middle aged woman pleased if surprised by her current pregnancy to a Muslim woman whose marriage to a Russian has blighted her relationship with her family. No matter what their situations, the women draw strength and support from each other as they share their common experience.

Lilya (Marina Zubanova) is an approaching-middle-age singleton who lives with and cares for her grandfather and works at a chicken factory. She is determined to get married soon, but hasn’t quite found the man for the job. Most of the story revolves around various failed dates, her conversations with coworkers and family members, and her innocent stalking of a talented local pianist.

A comic study of 20th-century history, reconstructing the life of writer, creator and professional prisoner Tulse Luper. Born in 1911 Newport and last heard of in 1989, Luper’s life is pieced together from the evidence found in 92 suitcases scattered across the globe. In the final installment, Luper continues his adventures as a professional prisoner during the later years of the Second World War and the Cold War.

The plot of the film is based on three love stories. The events take place in Moscow, Baku and Africa, but most of them are related to the Azerbaijani capital. The film, shot in the comedy genre, takes place during the Great Patriotic War, when the Germans left the occupied territories.