KOLYA (Kolja) (1996) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Jan Sverak

Written by - Pavel Taussig, Zdenek Sverak

Starring - Zdenek Sverak, Andrey Khalimon

"Set in Soviet occupied Czech Republic, a concert cellist and womaniser who recently lost his spot in the state orchestra agrees to marry a Russian woman looking to get her Czech papers in order to pay off his massive debt. But when she suddenly takes the opportunity to run off to West Germany and join her lover, he is left to look after for the woman's son, Kolya. Despite the language barrier between them, and his overall awkwardness at dealing with this unexpected responsibility, the two start to bond and this bond offers him a chance at redemption. 

JAN SVERAK's KOLYA is one of the most internationally beloved Czech films of all time. This is because it is a very warm and universally appealing story, with excellent character development and a solid progression of the central relationship between the two leading characters. 

Nevertheless, KOLYA's traditionalist cinematic storytelling ways are also deepened by its allegorical reflections on the political situation of the Czech Republic of the times in which it is set, and its history of occupation, on top of its examination of cultural divergences. These thematic aspects, however, are well balanced within the narrative, therefore making the viewing experience itself greatly enjoyable. 

The film is also driven by an excellent leading performance ZDENEK SVERAK as the cellist, and the presence of the wide eyed boy ANDREY KHALIMON in the role of the titular kid."

Drama, Czech Republic/UK/France