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Zdenek Sverák, Andrei Khalimon, Libuse Safránková, Ondrej Vetchý, Stella Zázvorková ... see more see more... , Ladislav Smoljak , Karel Hermánek , Irina Livanova

55-year-old Louka (Zdenek Sverak) is a gifted musician in Czechoslovakia who once made a good living playing in the State Symphony Orchestra. However, he has little use for the government, and after p... read more read more...utting a playfully insulting statement on a government form, he's been banished from official music making. He ekes out a living by giving private lessons, painting gravestones with gold leaf, and performing at funerals. Louka also likes to chase younger women, a surprisingly number of whom are more than happy to be caught. However, when a friend suggests marriage to a stranger, Louka is unexpectedly willing to consider the matter. It seems that Broz (Ondrej Vetchy), a gravedigger and a good friend of Louka's, has a niece, Nadezda (Irena Livanova), with a young son who wants to stay in Czechoslovakia. However, she's a Russian citizen and lacks the proper papers. In order to stay, the young mother needs to marry a Czech citizen, and she and her aunt are willing to pay a "husband" for his troubles. Louka, hard up for cash and in need of a used car, grudgingly agrees to the arrangement and weds Nadezda. However, once she has her papers, Nadezda heads for West Germany to be with her boyfriend, and after her aunt unexpectedly dies, Louka finds himself in custody of his new "stepson," six-year-old Kolya (Andrei Khalimon). A confirmed bachelor, Louka knows next to nothing about taking care of a child, and he discovers that parenthood cramps his style with the ladies. However, Louka and Kolya soon become good friends, and Louka finds his outlook on life beginning to change, just as the "Velvet Revolution" sounds the call of a new era in Czechoslovakia. Kolya won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe as Best Foreign Language Film of 1997. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

6,270 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

23 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Jan Sverák

Release Date: January 24, 1997

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DVD Release Date: July 2, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (420)

  • fb1216165431
    September 10, 2011
    fb1216165431
    Kolya is an adorable and charming light drama of a Russian child unexpectedly changing the course of the life of a "father" in question. A genius mix of light drama and humor. The enchanting story, solid performances, and profound soundtrack paramount to a genuine magical experie... read morence for the heart.
  • itsjustme2004
    November 5, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    A charming film with solid performances. KOYLA celebrates the life and trials of a middle-aged cellist in Prague during the Soviet occupation. Louka plays the cello like an angel, but seduces married women with his devilish charm. All this changes when he inherits a young boy fro... read morem an arranged marriage. The uneasy relationship between man and boy blossoms into mutual affection. Beautifully filmed, KOYLA ranks high as a must-see movie!
  • kiriyamakazou
    April 22, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Proof that originality isn't everything. Kolya plays out like so many sentimental pieces of guff. Grouchy old womanising man is left with a child he doesn't want. Of course he starts to care for the child and they bond, igniting a part of the man he never knew existed. It succeed... read mores by first placing it in a setting of political unrest. Second, it creates a language barrier between the boy and man, making the sparks of friendship even more affective. Last, the young boy isn't precocious or irritating. He's a sweet boy, and the performance is one of heartwarming realism. It all becomes a bit too sweet and sugary, but at least it ends with it's dignity in tact.
  • mvieaddict
    November 2, 2009
    mvieaddict
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Some movie where little children and great acting were involved captivated my heart, example The color of Paradise, Turtles can Fly,P... read moreonette and now this Czech movie Kolya.It was a story of Louka, a poor Czech musician,who agreed to marry a young Russian woman,for some cash and so she can stay in Czech Slovakia. But she moved soon to Germany, leaving the grandmother to take care of her 5 yrs old son Kolya. When she died, Kolya was brought to Louka. This leaded to many difficulties,Kolya spoke only Russian and Louka was not prepared to take care of him..But it was nice to see how their relationship became so strong and also to see how Louka started to care for Kolya. It showed the world through Kolya's eyes. It had wonderful photography and some funny and moving scenes. Beautiful. I really love it....
  • blizzpirate
    April 21, 2012
    blizzpirate
    Really good movie, thought it was interesting looking at how life is in czecoslovakia. The Acting was good as well.
  • philliprenke
    March 25, 2009
    philliprenke
    A Czech film about a musician, Louka, getting up in age, who has never married because of his dedication to music, but has many love affairs none-the-less. In need of money he agrees to a fake marraige in order to help a Russian women leave her country. When she decides to skip ... read moreout of town, leaving her son behind, Louka is left with new life changing responsibilities.
  • clooneyfan
    October 3, 2008
    clooneyfan
    A Czech old man gets stuck taking care of a little Russian boy. Neither can speak the other's language.

    It ends up being a cute movie as they learn to communicate and the man grows to care about the boy. I can't imagine a mother leaving her son behind all that time, though.
  • musicfreek101
    February 18, 2008
    musicfreek101
    A beautiful film with a simple plot, Kolya was enjoyable from the start. Although the movie revolves around Zdenek Sverak's character, the movie is stolen by a little competition. Andrei Chalimon gave an excellent performance as a young troubled 5 year old. Through out you believ... read moreed everything he said and did. From its morbid humor to the laugh out loud kind, Kolya never disappoints.
  • Milly21
    July 8, 2006
    Milly21
    i've seen a handful of foreign duds lately but this was truly a refreshing treat. clever, humorous and touching.

View All Kolja (Kolya) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

As an Oscar nominee, Kolya lacks the cinematic dazzle of France's Ridicule. But no one can claim that its emotional clout isn't earned.

Dennis Schwartz
February 9, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Disappoints as a lumbering mainstream pic that is all too familiar to Americans. Full Review

Philip Martin
August 28, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

...one of those beautiful, sweet, buttery-lit movies that will leave all but the bitterest cynics smiling.

Betty Jo Tucker
June 24, 2002
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews

With his big sad eyes, Andrej Chalimon pulls us lovingly and completely into Kolya's life. He's simply perfect as a little Russian refugee in this poignant movie treasure. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
February 26, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Let Kolya work its magic upon your heart. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

David Rooney
March 26, 2009
David Rooney, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Edward Guthmann
June 18, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 22, 2002
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

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