By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Alexander Rughozhkin
Starring: Anni-Christina Juuso | Viktor Bychkov | Ville Haapasalo
Original language title: Kukushka
Country: russia
Year: 2003
Running time: 99
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0308476
Bob says: “What I liked most about this film is the way the language barrier between the characters is used to drive the story forward – often to delay it. After the first few conversations, the fact that no one understands anyone else is rarely brought up. Instead, people continue to have utterly disjointed discussions, speaking in their own language about completely different topics than the person with whom they’re having a conversation. Because of this, helpful advice is automatically ignored, and helpful
actions can be viewed as attacks (like the incident involving the mushrooms).
“We’re left at the end with three people with almost completely different views of the experience they’ve shared
and the people with whom they shared it.”
Ellen says: “Who can pass up a comedy set in Lappland?! Need I say more?!”
Esmé says: “I thought THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE was my favorite movie of the year, and it may still be, but I think THE CUCKOO was the best movie. Really, a simple plot, executed exquisitely. Three characters, three languages, no overlap, one war, two–maybe three armies (if you count the unwilling). Anni is a Sami woman all alone after her husband is inducted into the army, who takes in and nurses a wounded Russian prisoner and an escaped Finnish sniper. She is like a mother hen with them, full of common sense and scolding. They are fledglings, arguing at each other in their respective languages, understanding nothing. Everybody grows up and there is an uplifting ending.”
Michael says: “This lovely Russian film begins with a well-worn movie staple. Take two soldiers on opposing sides of a conflict and strand them together until they are able to see the individual and not just the politics. With THE CUCKOO, director Aleksandr Rogozhkin adds a third layer and creates a sweet, whimsical tale that gets the same point across.
“Near the end of WWII, a Finnish soldier is condemned to death, left chained to a rock by Russian soldiers. A Russian soldier, branded a traitor and being taken to stand trial, is presumed dead when the jeep carrying him is destroyed by aircraft fire. A lonely Lapp woman, running her home and farm alone since her husband was taken by soldiers 4 years prior, becomes the center
point in this unusual triangle where no one speaks the same language. There is much humor in the dialogue between the characters where none can understand what the other says.
“Rogozhkin mixes some Lapp myth into the story, which works surprisingly well, and illuminates a culture that many know little
about. The film is gorgeous, projected digitally at the Kendall, and utilizing the stunning Lappland landscape to glorious, yet unobtrusive effect. The ending, while not a surprise, is still effective. A nice film, very well-done.” 3 1/2 cats