By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Hiner Saleem
Starring: Ivan Franek | Lala Sarkissian | Romik Avinian
Country: armenia, france, italy, switzerland
Year: 2005
Running time: 84
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379577/combined
Bruce says: “VODKA LEMON is short on plot but long on atmosphere and political statement. In is winter in Armenia and the small village is covered with heavy snow. It is a dry climate, for most of the people sit in their snow covered yards during the day and frequently walk about without coats and hats.
“Nina (Lala Sarkissian) is working for peanuts at the local Vodka Lemon stand; on a good day she sells 17 bottles of the cheap liquor. The entrepreneur who owns the Vodka Lemon chain sees no point in keeping it open. But this is her only source of income. Hamo (Romik Avinian ) was in the Soviet army. He has a small monthly pension, not enough to feed himself. He has been selling his furniture and clothes at the local flea market to get by. The buyers pull up in fancy jeeps and bargain ruthlessly for each item because they know they have the upper hand.
“Hamo’s son is a shiftless drunk with no hope of employment. Hamo’s granddaughter is literally being sold into marriage, a not so subtle form of prostitution. Nina’s daughter works as an entertainer using her piano skills, so her mother thinks. She, too, is turning tricks to make a few dollars. And believe me, in this new order the currency is definitely not drams or rubles but American dollars.
“Hamo and Nina see each other frequently at the cemetery where they visit the tombstones of their respective spouses. Each tombstone has a likeness of the deceased etched on the stone. Part of the ritual is sweeping the snow off the portraits and making sure the area surrounding the stone is well maintained. They gradually become acquainted and their relationship blossoms. How all this happens is told with great affection towards the characters and with a gentle sense of humor.
“Post-Soviet Russia is a two-tiered society: those who are part of the new system and those who have fallen by the wayside for various reasons. Some are too old, some lack skills, others drink too much. Paying ones dues have no role in this equation. Neither does caring.
“One wonders what effect new governments such as the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan, the much touted globalization, and the expansion of the European Union will have on similar villages in other countries. We seem destined to have a two-tiered world.” 3 1/2 cats