Anna and the Other Train

Anna travels to snowy Moscow to help her brother. Her mother was Abyssinian, and her father was Russian. Anna is Black and has lived in Russian high society since childhood. At the station, she meets the young officer Vronski. A red scarf marks the place beside the tracks where a worker has just died.

Two days later, Anna goes to a grand ball. She knows Kitty expects Vronski to dance with her. Still, Anna chooses to dance with him. Anna and Vronski watch each other closely while the other guests watch them with interest.

After the ball, Anna returns home to her husband, Karenin, in Saint Petersburg. He warns her that people may talk badly about her and Vronski. He cares most about his good name. Anna says people have always treated her worse because she is Black. High society protects Anna only when she obeys every rule.

One night, Vronski follows Anna into the garden and waits for her. He promises to leave everything for her. Anna warns him, “We will not pay the same price.” People may still accept him, but they may reject her. The affair could destroy her life. Anna understands the danger and freely chooses to kiss him.

At a horse race, Vronski falls. Anna shouts his name, so everyone can see that she loves him. Men praise Vronski and still invite him everywhere. Anna loses friends and invitations. A newspaper prints cruel, racist words about Anna because she is Black.

Anna leaves Karenin and lives with Vronski in the countryside. Her children stay behind, and she misses them. Vronski is welcome everywhere, but Anna can hardly visit anyone. She asks her trusted friend Lisa to help with a dangerous plan. At the station, they will make people believe Anna has died. Then Anna can escape on another train.

At Moscow station, Anna leaves her black coat by the tracks. She ties the red scarf to a post. Lisa keeps watch and warns Anna if anyone comes. A train passes through the steam. After it passes, people find the coat and scarf and think Anna has died. Lisa helps Anna go safely through a tunnel to another platform.

On the other platform, a southbound train waits. Anna boards it with a false passport in her mother's name. She knows she is leaving her children for now. This choice hurts Anna and other people who love her. Anna feels free, but she also feels guilty. She still decides for herself where she will go.