Prazdnik svjatogo Jorgena

Mezhrabpom-Film skilfully sought to meet the state's demand that it support the Soviet power's anti-religious propaganda – and with this comedy the studio struck it lucky.
The amusing balance between a supposed saint, who has to take himself and his helpers seriously, and a gifted clown who loves putting on an act, lends this film its charm – a feature that is also intensified by the actors' delight in costumes, metamorphoses, posing and disillusionment. Some of the spectators will have been aware of the profounder sense of playing with being and appearance, between staged illusions and reality. However, the film carefully avoided any references to prevailing Soviet reality, a discrepancy that could only be kept in check with a sense of aesthetics and taste – and the ability and desire to create comedy. (Berlinale)