"The Theme", the fist film made by Panfilov at Mosfilm in 1979, which touches upon the subject matter of immigration, is shelved by the officials up until 1987. Once the film is released internationally, it is immediately selected for the number of film festivals and is awarded the "Golden Lion" at the Berlin IFF.
In 1981, while "The Theme" is still banned, Panfilov films an adaptation of a stage play 'Last Summer in Chulimsk' by Alexander Vampilov. Film "Valentina" tells a moving story about a young woman from a provincial town, and features a magnificent cast - Inna Churikova, Daria Mihkailova,Rodion Nakhapetov, Vsevolod Shilovsky.