Andrej Chalimon, Irina Livanova, Ladislav Smoljak, Libuse Safrankova, Sylvia Suvadova, Zdenek Sverak - Director: Jan Sverak
Set in Czechoslovakia shortly before the 1989 Velvet Revolution, "Kolya" is the story of an aging cynic named Frantisek, a Czech who weds a Russian woman for her money. Suddenly, the woman flees to West Germany, leaving behind her young son Kolya. The crotchety Frantisek wants nothing to do with the child -- they don't even speak the same language. But as the old man tries to dump Kolya on someone else, the pair slowly develop a lasting, poignant relationship, that enriches both of their lives.
When a financially strapped former symphony cellist, now making a meager living by playing at funerals, gets pressured into a paper marriage with a friend's single-mother niece, his roving-eye bachelor life is turned upside-down. The beautiful young woman immediately abandons her new husband and her five-year-old son, and the unlikely duo struggles to adjust to their new lives in Prague on the eve of 1989's Velvet Revolution. Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. Academy Award: Best Foreign Language Film.
Co-produced by Biograf Jan Sverak Pictures (Prague), in association with Czech Television, Lucerna Film, CCV, AND Cinemart.
Shown at the 1996 Venice, Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals.
Zdenek Sverak, who wrote and stars in this film, is the father of director Jan Sverak.
Kolya Reviews:
"...A feel-good movie dealing in part with Soviet bloc bureaucracies in 1988..." -- 3 out of 4 stars
-- Mike Clark, USA Today
"...[Kolya] balances heartwarming sentiment with gentle humor and observations that strike universal chords..."-- David Rooney, Variety
"...A gem of a Czech film....Wise and worldly..."
-- Janet Maslin, New York Times
"...Lovely....It's a heart melter....Chalimon is a gem..." -- Rating: A-
-- Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
"...KOLYA is a crowd-pleaser....Chalimon is irresistible....With the further pluses of luminous cinematography and a soaring, emotional score, KOLYA can't miss..."
-- Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
"...There are some lovely, affecting and warmly amusing moments here..."-- Lloyd Sachs, Chicago Sun-Times
czechoslovaks rule very funny Submitted by stefanvanco (new jersey usa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Cellist Turns Cute and Cuddly A cute and heartwarming tale of the infuence of the young on the jaded. Thoroughly enjoyed it, but it's not for everybody. Submitted by a reviewer (Baltimore, MD USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
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Kolya DVD
Kolya DVD Features
Kolya
Winner of the Academy Award(R) and Golden Globe as Best Foreign Language Film, this irresistible comedy treat was embraced by critics and audiences everywhere! A confirmed bachelor is in for the surprise of his life when a get-rich-quick scheme backfires ... setting off a wild set of circumstances -- and leaving him with a pint-sized new roommate! Now, with a mischievous five-year-old named Kolya suddenly in his care ... life in this once carefree playboy's tiny apartment changes faster than he could ever imagine! Uplifting and endlessly funny, KOLYA is delightful motion picture entertainment you'll want to take home!
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Region 1 Keep Case Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85 Letterbox - 1.85 Audio: TBD Additional Release Material: Featurette: "Behind the Scenes of KOLYA" Interactive Features: Interactive Menus Scene Access
czechoslovaks rule
Cellist Turns Cute and Cuddly
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