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Kolya

Name: Kolya
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: 1996-05-15
Cast: Zdeněk Svěrák, Andrei Khalimon, Libuše Šafránková, Ondřej Vetchý, Stella Zázvorková

1996 | 105 min | Drama, Comedy

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar and it made about 7 times its budget. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Provocative satire that goes after everyone.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 45 min.
What might put you off: It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

After a fictitious marriage with a Russian emigrant, Cellisten Louka, a Czech man, must suddenly take responsibility for her son. However, it’s not long before the communication barrier is broken between the two new family members.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best International Feature Film. Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Non-English Language Film. Also nominated for 1 BAFTA. Plus 1 other award.
Box office & staying powerStrong
$8 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 19K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jan Svěrák

Zdeněk SvěrákFrantišek Louka
Andrei KhalimonKolya
Libuše ŠafránkováKlára
Ondřej VetchýBrož
Stella ZázvorkováMom
Ladislav SmoljakHoudek
Irina BezrukovaNadezda
Silvia ŠuvadováBlanka
Liliyan MalkinaAunt Tamara
Karel HeřmánekMusil