Through Tears (1928)
A Soviet silent comedy gem about a small-town tailor, a stubborn she-goat, and the chaos that follows when love and bureaucracy collide.
Through Tears - Movie Information
- Original Title: Крізь сльози
- Release Year: 1928
- Directed by: Hryhorii Hrycher
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: Russian
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Alternative Titles: Сквозь слёзы (SU), דורך טרערן (IL), Сторінки минулого (UA), Laughter Through Tears (US)
- Production Companies: VUFKU
- Production Countries: Soviet Union
Through Tears - Plot
The poor tailor Perchyk who dreams to buy a she-goat lives in a small town. Meanwhile, Perchyk's daughter Frida falls in love with the unemployed Elia. Perchyk is totally against their marriage, as he cannot buy a she-goat if the son-in-law does not have any money. Finally, Perchyk buys a she-goat from a rich tavern owner but he gives him… a goat. Moreover, a police officer dissatisfied with the tailored uniform forges a document, according to which Perchyk and his whole family are expelled from the town as troublemakers.
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Through Tears - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hryhorii Hrycher
Main Cast
- Ivan Kaveberg
- Anna Goricheva
- Mariya Sinelnikova
- D. Kantor
- Moshele Zilberman
- F. Zilberman
- Abram Vabnik
- M. Zaslavskiy
- Matviy Lyarov
- Aleksandr Sashin
Writers
- Hryhorii Hrycher
Through Tears - FAQs
What is Through Tears about?
Through Tears follows Perchyk, a struggling small-town tailor whose greatest ambition is to buy a she-goat. His plans unravel when his daughter falls for a penniless young man, a crooked police officer forges documents, and a shady goat deal goes hilariously wrong — leaving the whole family expelled from town.
Is Through Tears based on a true story?
Through Tears is not based on a specific true story. It draws on the rich tradition of Yiddish folk humor and the everyday struggles of Jewish shtetl life in the early 20th century, blending social satire with slapstick comedy in the spirit of classic Eastern European Jewish storytelling.
Where can you watch Through Tears online?
Streaming availability for Through Tears varies by region. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current viewing options across multiple platforms and lets you find where the film is available for streaming, rental, or purchase in your country.
Why is Through Tears considered a landmark Soviet film?
Through Tears stands out as one of the few surviving Soviet silent comedies to center on Jewish shtetl life. Produced by VUFKU in Ukraine, it captures a vanishing world with warmth and wit, making it a rare and historically significant document of Jewish culture under early Soviet rule.
Who directed Through Tears?
Through Tears was directed by Hryhorii Hrycher, who also wrote the screenplay. Hrycher worked within the Ukrainian film studio VUFKU during the late silent era, a period of remarkable creative output for Soviet cinema before the tightening grip of Socialist Realism reshaped filmmaking in the 1930s.
Who are the main actors in Through Tears?
The cast is led by Ivan Kaveberg as the hapless tailor Perchyk, alongside Anna Goricheva and Mariya Sinelnikova. D. Kantor, Moshele Zilberman, and Abram Vabnik round out the ensemble, bringing the colorful residents of this fictional shtetl vividly to life.
What are some films similar to Through Tears?
If Through Tears appeals to you, explore Train of Life (1998), The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob (1973), Annie Hall (1977), and The Great Dictator (1940). These films share its blend of Jewish humor, community storytelling, and comedy rooted in cultural identity and everyday human folly.
When was Through Tears originally released?
Through Tears was originally released in 1928 in the Soviet Union. It later reached American audiences in 1933 under the alternative title Laughter Through Tears, reflecting the bittersweet tone that made the film resonate far beyond its original release context.
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