Friday, January 24, 1997

PG-13

For some sensuality

Drama

Zdenek Sverak, Andrej Chalimon, Libuse Safrankova, Ondrez Vetchy, Stella Zazvorkova, Ladislav Smoljak, Irena Livanova

Zdenek Sverak

Jan Sverak

Kolya (1997)

Once a renowned cellist in the August Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, middle-aged bachelor, Frantisek Louka (Zdenek Sverak), now plays funerals at the city crematorium. Strapped for cash and lacking many material comforts, Louka frequently indulges himself with the company of other men's wives.

Occupied by the Russians, Prague is on the eve of the 1989 Velvet Revolution. In the midst of the turmoil, a friendly grave-digger (Ondrez Vetchy) proposes that Louka marry his distant Russian niece (Irene Livanova) who needs Czech papers. No ties. No obligations. Just a signature in exchange for enough money to buy a small car and pay the rent. Resolved to maintain his bachelor lifestyle, Louka refuses. But when the grave-digger's niece turns out to be young and beautiful, he changes his mind.

The simple plot throws Frantisek Louka into a series of unexpected episodes, altering his life beyond recognition. His bride quickly emigrates to Germany to join her lover, leaving behind her six year-old Russian son, Kolya (Andrej Chalimon). The young boy is left in Louka's care, inviting the turmoil of the country into his own small apartment and inciting his own personal revolution.