Part 5/7:
Historically, vodka has served as an integral part of Russian culture and politics. It is entwined with the nation’s celebrations, political fabric, and as an accepted means of coping with life's harsh realities. The renowned director of the Taganka Theater provides a historical lens, having witnessed the interplay of triumph and suffering in modern Russia.
Even as new preferences for beer have surfaced in urban areas, rural traditions related to alcohol consumption remain largely unchanged. In the countryside, individuals like 70-year-old Vera engage in distilling, blending pride in their work with the recognition of the social consequences of widespread alcohol use.