Anna and the Other Train

Anna Karenina travels to Moscow during a snowy night to save her brother's marriage. As the Black daughter of an Abyssinian mother and Russian father, she is used to curious looks. On the platform, she meets Officer Vronski. Near a train, a red scarf marks a fatal accident.

At a ball, Vronski asks Anna to dance, although young Kitty expects all his attention. Anna wants to refuse, but the officer's open expression draws her closer. As they dance, she sees in the mirrors how society's admiration can quickly become condemnation.

In Saint Petersburg, Karenin speaks to his wife about the rumours. He claims that he only wants to protect the family, but reminds her that his surname has opened many doors. Anna understands the threat: her acceptance has always depended on obedience. One mistake brings her a harsher punishment.

Vronski follows her persistently and finally waits in a winter garden. He offers her a life together. Anna explains that the scandal will look like a romantic adventure for him, while it will destroy all her security. Nevertheless, she chooses to kiss him and puts reasonable fear aside.

When Vronski falls during a horse race, Anna's frightened shout reveals their relationship. He is admired for his great passion; she is excluded from salons and attacked with racist caricatures. Vronski finally understands that love does not make them equal. Yet he still believes a journey will solve everything.

Anna leaves Karenin and settles with Vronski in the countryside. The beautiful house becomes a prison: he visits friends and thinks about his career while she remains isolated. Anna turns to her friend Lisa. Together they prepare a cruel plan that might give Anna a future of her own.

At Moscow station, Anna places her black coat beside the tracks and ties the red scarf to a signal. Steam hides the view, a train arrives, and a prepared witness hears a scream. While everyone believes she has died, Anna crosses the underground passage to the opposite platform.

There she boards a southbound train with false papers. She knows she has hurt Vronski and, for now, left her children behind; her freedom is not an innocent victory. When the guard asks her name, Anna gives her mother's. Outside, the black night is beginning to turn blue.