Named Kolya under the main protagonist, written by the experienced Zdenek Sverak, directed by his son Jan Sverak, skillfully photographed by Vladimir Smutny, stared any longer young but charming Zdenek Sverak and still a kid Andrej Chalimon, released in 1996 Czech screendrama was internationally acclaimed as a foreign film, but succeeded only on limited release.
Though the plot seems quite simple and the outcome is predictable, the movie apparently contains some zests for the story is painted on the background of the Soviet bloc disintegration times of 1988 and therefore evokes extra philosophical reflections on historical trends alongside human interrelations matters. Russian five-year-old naïve boy Kolya in his particular sensitive way managed to turn upside down the life of the elderly surviving Czech cellist Louka. Due to the life circumstances the outlook of an incorrigible bachelor was replaced by the philosophy of a caring family man.
I share the opinion on two Sveraks’ contribution into the success of their movie, who skillfully managed to “give it that warm, ironic Mittel Europa charm and subtlety, with a dash of wry political satire” (Thomas, “A Heart-Tugger With a Czech Twist”). More to it, “Kolya” is “special in the way it paints the details” (Ebert, “Kolya”). The picturesque views of the historical Prague, countryside scenes, and rough Soviet reality sketches make the audience feel the authenticity of the story. But I think the creators’ main target aimed at sentimental viewer catching and remembering the eyes of the kid lost in the subway, Louka picking up tiny boot while the hurrying crowd is running over it, running nose of the abandoned Kolya, the sentimental scene of a small hand in a big one and lots of others. Classical music nicely accompanies the gorgeous solo singing …. by misfortune, not in the concert hall scenes, but at funerals, thus evoking the artist’s line in the movie.
I have intentionally omitted the mere descriptions of the plot developments, for the drama appeals greatly to the emotions of the viewer and its personal cultural experience. Therefore my strong consideration is that “Kolya” would be definitely enjoyed by mature over 30-year-old audiences and is better not to be watched by religious ones for the screen drama has some sexual hints in a quite inappropriate place.
Works Cited
Ebert, Roger. “Kolya”. Chicago Sun Times.com. 27 Jan 1997. Web. 30 HYPERLINK "http://articles.latimes.com/1997/jan/24" Nov. 2012.
Kolya. Dir. Jan Sverak. Perf. Zdenek Sverak, Andrej Chalimon, and Libuse Safrankova. Miramax Films, 1996. Film.
Thomas, Kevin. “A Heart-Tugger With a Czech Twist”. Los Angeles Times.com. 24 HYPERLINK "http://articles.latimes.com/1997/jan/24" Jan. 1997 . Web. 30 HYPERLINK "http://articles.latimes.com/1997/jan/24" Nov. …