The screen adaptation of the biographical novel of the same name by Aleksandr Avdeyenko made a significant impact on the cultural life of the Soviet Union. It also stands as one of the finest works by Mariupol native and director, Leonid Lukov, often referred to as the bard of Donbas. Lukov’s connection to Donbas is evident in at least five of his films set there, and among them, “I Love” shines particularly bright.

The film distinguishes itself with an unconventional fairy-tale-like tone, mood, and a genuine novelistic structure. The exceptional production design by Morits Umanskyi, who would later craft the expressive sets for Mark Donskoi’s “The Invincibles” (also known as “The Taras Family”, a director highly esteemed by Lukov), significantly contributed to the film’s visual impact. The cinematography for “I Love” was orchestrated by Ivan Shekker, who had previously showcased the vividness of Donbas in his work, such as “Ukrainian Rhapsody” directed by Sergei Paradjanov in 1961.

Please note: “I Love” is one of the early sound films. Due to the limited quality of sound recording equipment at the time, or due to the possible deterioration in the duplication of film prints, the original soundtrack contains inseparable background noise and occasional audio defects.