Goodbye Soviet Union
{{Infobox film
| name = Goodbye Soviet Union
| image = Goodbye Soviet Union.jpg
| director = Lauri Randla
| writer = Lauri Randla
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Peeter Urbla
- Mark Lwoff
- Misha Jaari
}}
| cinematography = Elen Lotman
| editing = {{Plainlist|
- Leo Liesvirta
- Andres Hallik
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Niklas Kouzmitšev
- Nika Savolainen
- Ülle Kaljuste
- Tõnu Oja
- Pääru Oja
- Elene Baratašvili
- Jekaterina Novosjolova
}}
| runtime = 86 minutes
| country = {{Plainlist|
}}
| language = {{Plainlist|
}}
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
}}
| released = {{Film date|2020|07|10}}
}}
Goodbye Soviet Union ({{langx|et|Hüvasti, NSVL}}, {{langx|fi|Näkemiin Neuvostoliitto}}) is a 2020 Estonian-Finnish tragicomedy film and the first Ingrian film. It was written and directed by Lauri Randla.{{Cite web|url=https://areena.yle.fi/audio/1-50457854|title=The first Ingrian-Finnish film tackles Soviet life with humor {{!}} Audio Areena|publisher=Yle|date=2020-10-14|language=fi|access-date=2020-10-14}}
Plot
Set 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
- 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
The 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.{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-11281550|title=Goodbye Soviet Union blends nostalgia with humor|publisher=Yle Uutiset|date=2020-10-14|language=fi|access-date=2020-10-14}} Notably, it became the largest single investment by Estonian Film Institute.
Reception
The 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.viro-instituutti.fi/nakemiin-neuvostoliitto-elokuva-viimein-teattereihin/|title=Goodbye Soviet Union hits theaters after high anticipation|publisher=Estonian Institute in Finland|date=2020-06-11|access-date=2020-10-14}}
= Reviews =
The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its humor and unique perspective on Soviet life.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{IMDb title|tt9471988}}
Category:Estonian comedy films
Category:Films set in the Soviet Union
Category:2020s Finnish-language films
Category:Finnish multilingual films
Category:Russian-language Finnish films
Category:2020 multilingual films
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