Between 1971 and 1988 Gubenko directed six movies. The first, "A Soldier Returns from the Front", was awarded the Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR. His 1976 "Wounded Game" (or "Podranki") was based on his own original screenplay. The story covered the lives of orphans in the post-war Odessa. According to Gubenko, it was 50/50 autobiographical and included many personal details. Fifteen leading roles were performed by real orphans — he had watched thousands of children from orphanages and boarding schools all over the country. The film was seen by 20.3 million people and was entered into the 1977 Cannes Film Festival. It was also awarded the bronze Hugo prize at the 1977 Chicago International Film Festival.