I am looking for the name of a movie made in Russia or the Ukraine, or maybe the Soviet Union. I saw it around 2001; unclear how old it is.

There is a family that lives in an apartment, including the daughter who never helps out. The grandmother is old and infirm, and rings a big bell when she needs things.

The movie ends with the old woman ringing the bell, and it falls on her. Weirdly, it doesn't hurt her, and she is able to get out of bed, and she walks to the other room to see her family. Oddly again, they are not that glad to see her improving.

Check the fourth page (page 58) of this link. Does it help?
Long shot I admit.
Added link: http://www.academia.edu/241629/_The_Angelic_Little_Image_Falls_from_Grace_Adams_R ib_and_the_Reimagining_of_Maternity_

Yes, that's very helpful, thanks. This led me to Rebro Adama/ Adam's Rib, based on the book House of Women. Made in the Soviet Union, shown with subtitles, a little older than I had thought.

Rebro Adama (1991) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100465/)

I spent some time in Russia (3 weeks on a mission trip) and have some interest in the history and customs. I might check that out myself. Do you remember how or where you discovered it?