The Italian
I saw a preview of this lovely but sad Russian film that will be released later this week. The film is the directorial debut of Andrei Kravchuk and it is, indeed, an impressive first film.
Little six year old Vanya (Kolya Spiridonov), has been abandoned by his mother and lives in a run down orphanage. But he now has the chance of a lifetime. A well-off Italian couple has decided to adopt him and take him away from this miserable place. Who wouldn't be happy? The older children in the orphanage have to steal in order to survive. Things are very bleak there.
But has a gnawing feeling deep down inside. He doesn't want to move to Italy but would instead like to find his real mother and have a chance to live with her (something happens to give him this idea but I will not give away what it is). One of the older boys, the tough Kolyan (Denis Moiseenko), tells Vanya that he contacted his birth mother and she slammed the door in his face. He is trying to warn Vanya about what might happen to him as well. But that doesn't make Vanya give up his dream. He learns how to read and devises a plan to find his mother. When he finally escapes he has the Headmaster (Yuri Itskov), Madam (Maria Kuznetsova) and Grisha (Nikolai Reutov) hot on his trail. They want to find him as soon as possible because they are all going to make good money on this adoption.
Does Vanya find his mother? Does he go off to live with the Italian family? I certainly will not answer those questions. You will have to see the film for yourself. I will say that I found this film very moving and the story was well written (thanks to Andrei Romanov). It tugs at your heartstrings. And it is a well acted film by all. But little Kolya as Vanya really carries the film.
He is so incredibly smart and determined. If you like films that show you another side of life
in a different locale then this film is for you (you will also see that alcohol is a big problem in Russia). The Italian to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking. But it has the ability to put a smile on your face as well.
Little six year old Vanya (Kolya Spiridonov), has been abandoned by his mother and lives in a run down orphanage. But he now has the chance of a lifetime. A well-off Italian couple has decided to adopt him and take him away from this miserable place. Who wouldn't be happy? The older children in the orphanage have to steal in order to survive. Things are very bleak there.
But has a gnawing feeling deep down inside. He doesn't want to move to Italy but would instead like to find his real mother and have a chance to live with her (something happens to give him this idea but I will not give away what it is). One of the older boys, the tough Kolyan (Denis Moiseenko), tells Vanya that he contacted his birth mother and she slammed the door in his face. He is trying to warn Vanya about what might happen to him as well. But that doesn't make Vanya give up his dream. He learns how to read and devises a plan to find his mother. When he finally escapes he has the Headmaster (Yuri Itskov), Madam (Maria Kuznetsova) and Grisha (Nikolai Reutov) hot on his trail. They want to find him as soon as possible because they are all going to make good money on this adoption.
Does Vanya find his mother? Does he go off to live with the Italian family? I certainly will not answer those questions. You will have to see the film for yourself. I will say that I found this film very moving and the story was well written (thanks to Andrei Romanov). It tugs at your heartstrings. And it is a well acted film by all. But little Kolya as Vanya really carries the film.
He is so incredibly smart and determined. If you like films that show you another side of life
in a different locale then this film is for you (you will also see that alcohol is a big problem in Russia). The Italian to be both heartwarming and heartbreaking. But it has the ability to put a smile on your face as well.
posted by Film Fanatic | 12:38 PM
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