A Funny Dream, or Laughter and Tears(1976)

A Funny Dream, or Laughter and Tears is a Soviet fantasy film following Andrey Popov, a chess-loving student who falls ill the night before facing world champion Karpov. Fevered and delirious, Andrey dreams himself into a kingdom ruled by chess pieces and playing cards. The chess figures who govern the realm are gripped by despair—their young prince has fallen victim to a mysterious ailment. As Andrey tries to aid them, the cards scheme in the shadows, plotting an uprising. Blending whimsy with darker currents, the film weaves together chess strategy, political intrigue, and surreal imagery into a tale where dreams become as consequential as waking life.