Kolya

This film charms me in such a quiet, touching, unassuming way every time I watch it. I'm glad it's part of my collection.


KOYLA: Winner of the1997 Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film   August 2, 2006
Lynne P. Caldwell (Dadeville, AL USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

And, I might add, this magnificent Czech film deserved to win these coveted awards.

I have recently been fortunate to have had the opportunity to see some brilliant Foreign Language Films and KOYLA is one of the best. When it was over, I just sat there not wanting to leave this beautiful little boy and the man who opened his heart to this child. So, I watched the extras and it made me love this movie even more after seeing the commentary. Zdenek Sverak, the handsome lead character in Koyla also wrote the story. It took him over a year because he put so much into it. Sometimes he would have to put it away for a couple of months because it was too heart wrenching. In my estimation, Sverak is a genius--what a compelling, beautiful and evocative story. And, his screen presence was amazing. A true family affair, Sverak's son, Jan, is the director.

After a search spanning several countries, an unknown child, five-year-old Andrej Chalimon was found in Moscow. This little boy is so gifted and so natural, he took my breath away and melted my heart. The fetching Libuse Safrankova stars as Klara, the singer with the operatic voice who also ends up stealing Louka's (Sverak) heart.

The story takes place in 1988 when Russia and communism is still destroying the country but is beginning to fade. Louka, a gifted musician (viola) has been fired from the famed Czechoslovakian Philharmonic Orchestra for merely giving a sarcastic response to a Russian interrogator. With his small income from playing at funerals/crematoriums and refurbishing grave headstones, The 55 year-old Louka falls deeper and deeper into debt. He must support himself and his mother who lives in another town and who has a flat that is quite expensive to keep up. His best friend talks him into marrying a young woman from Russia (who needs a Czech citizenship) for a large sum of money. Eventually this confirmed bachelor apprehensively agrees although ends up regretting it when she immediately absconds to West Germany to be with her lover. Alas, she leaves behind the most adorable child I have ever seen on film. The story does have some twists and turns and all but the hardest of hearts will shed a tear.

I loved this movie very, very much. It is a heart-warming, moving, and captivating tale that I will never forget. I plan to buy this film so I can share it with my friends and family. Oh--and I almost forgot to mention the music. Wow, it was fabulous and it enhanced an awesome picture.


Beautiful and moving   June 30, 2002
Klarenka
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

This is not a movie; it is a film, almost a work of art. Zdenak Sverak does a wonderful job as the slightly curmudgeonly cellist, and Andrej Chalimon is perfect as the young Kolya of the title. The film slowly yet marvelously follows the development of the relationship between the two characters. The music that follows the scenes is wonderfully written, I highly recommend that fans of the movie buy the soundtrack as well. This is my favorite film of all time, American- or foreign-made, and one that nobody should miss.


Bittersweet and unforgettable   February 19, 2003
DNP (Framingham, MA United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

My husband actually brought this home from our public library and I am so very glad he did.

Having read the other reviews, I have to agree that most likely something was missed in translating to the English. "Word-play" in one language can be impossible to translate into another and still retain a humorous meaning. So I really didn't find the movie funny at any point.

However, it was an experience not to be missed. I thought the growing relationship between Louka and Kolya, complicated at first by their lack of a shared language and by the upheaval in both of their lives, was handled with great sensitivity.

The bathtub scene in which Kolya tries to "telephone" his dead "Grandma" will stay with me forever. Partly because I can imagine a real, grieving five-year-old doing something like that and partly because of Louka's silent but evident compassion for Kolya.

In the key-ringing scene, it was symbolic that the secret police investigators who interrogated Louka earlier in the movie are on-hand, ringing keys, and that the policemen and Louka see and acknowledge one another.

The movie was bittersweet in so many ways, as real life can be, also. There's so much more to say, but I don't want to ruin the experience for anyone who may not have already seen the movie.

For anyone thinking of watching it, please don't let the subtitles hold you back. It has been a very long time since I have seen a movie that was so strong in its simplicity and so honest in its character portrayals. Word-play may not have come through, but the humanity of the movie needed no translation.

Don't miss out.


One of the top films! You won't forget it.   April 23, 2000
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is such a great film. Really deeper than I was expecting. If only Criterion or Anchor Bay would get the rights and put it out on DVD!