Czech Republic10 Essential Czech FilmsStop 1 of 10

Kolya

Kolja

1996

A confirmed bachelor and struggling Prague cellist who marries a Russian woman for money finds himself unexpectedly saddled with her small son when she emigrates, and the two — sharing no common language — slowly become a family. A tender, Oscar-winning comedy set on the eve of 1989.

Why it’s here

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.