Goodbye Soviet Union (Estonian: Hüvasti, NSVL, Finnish: Näkemiin Neuvostoliitto) is a 2020 Estonian-Finnish tragicomedy film and the first Ingrian film. It was written and directed by Lauri Randla.[1]
| Goodbye Soviet Union | |
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| Directed by | Lauri Randla |
| Written by | Lauri Randla |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Elen Lotman |
| Edited by |
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Production companies | |
Release date |
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Running time | 86 minutes |
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Plot
editSet during the final years of the Soviet Union, the film follows Johannes (Niklas Kouzmitšev), a young boy growing up in an Ingrian family in Soviet Estonia. Johannes's free-spirited mother (Nika Savolainen) is drawn to Western ideals, while his grandmother (Ülle Kaljuste) hopes to raise him as a loyal Soviet citizen. Amid the backdrop of Estonia's push for independence, Johannes navigates family tensions, his mother's emigration to Finland, and his first love with a Chechen girl named Vera (Elene Baratašvili).
Cast
edit- Niklas Kouzmitšev - Johannes
- Nika Savolainen - Mother
- Ülle Kaljuste - Grandmother
- Tõnu Oja - Grandfather
- Pääru Oja - Uncle Kolja
- Elene Baratašvili - Vera
- Jekaterina Novosjolova - Lidia
- Luule Komissarov
Production
editThe film was financed by Estonian Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, Eurimages, and Eesti Kultuurkapital, and was co-produced with Yle. Distribution in Finland was handled by B-Plan Distribution. Both Estonian Film Institute and the Finnish Film Foundation expressed strong early interest in the project.[2] Notably, it became the largest single investment by Estonian Film Institute.[2]
Reception
editThe film was initially slated for release in March 2020, but its premiere was delayed. Pre-screenings in June were met with high demand, selling out in parts of the Helsinki metropolitan area.[3]
Reviews
editThe film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its humor and unique perspective on Soviet life.
| Rating (out of 5) | Reference |
| Karjalainen | 4/5 | [4] |
| Me Naiset | 4/5 | [5] |
| Helsingin Sanomat | 2/5 | [6] |
References
edit- ^ "The first Ingrian-Finnish film tackles Soviet life with humor | Audio Areena" (in Finnish). Yle. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ a b "Goodbye Soviet Union blends nostalgia with humor" (in Finnish). Yle Uutiset. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Goodbye Soviet Union hits theaters after high anticipation". Estonian Institute in Finland. 2020-06-11. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ^ "Film review: Goodbye Soviet Union". Karjalainen. 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
- ^ "Can Soviet-era hardship be funny? Absolutely!". Me Naiset. 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
- ^ "Overflowing with Soviet nostalgia". Helsingin Sanomat. 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
External links
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