The Cuckoo (2002)

The Cuckoo (2002)
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As Finland's withdrawal from World War II draws ever closer, a tentative relationship between an abandoned Finnish soldier, a Lapp woman, and a Russian captain accused of anti-Soviet correspondence offers momentary solace to a trio of lost souls. Dressed in a German uniform and tied to a rock after being branded a pacifist by his fellow soldiers, Finnish sniper Veiko (Ville Haapasalo) attempts to break free before being spotted by Russian soldiers and shot. Peering through the scope on his rifle after finally escaping, Veiko bears witness to the accidental bombing of a Russian envoy carrying a captain accused of collaborating with the enemy. As Anni (Anni-Christina Juuso), a Laplander whose husband is off to war, scavenges for food, she runs across the bombing and finds disgraced soldier Ivan (Viktor Bychkov) clinging to life. Bringing him back to her house to nurse him to health, Anni is shocked when Veiko arrives in search of tools to remove his shackles. As language barriers keep the threesome from effectively communicating, Ivan's suspicions that Veiko is actually a German soldier begin to mount. Veiko and Anni's bond begins to grow, and as the lonely widow seduces Veiko, Ivan's jealousy and suspicions culminate in an attempt to murder the hapless Finnish sniper. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Starring:
Ville HaapasaloAnni-Kristiina Juuso, (more)
Director(s):
Alexandr Rogozhkin
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Cuckoo

As Finland's withdrawal from World War II draws ever closer, a tentative relationship between an abandoned Finnish soldier, a Lapp woman, and a Russian captain accused of anti-Soviet correspondence offers momentary solace to a trio of lost souls. Dressed in a German uniform and tied to a rock after being branded a pacifist by his fellow soldiers, Finnish sniper Veiko (Ville Haapasalo) attempts to break free before being spotted by Russian soldiers and shot. Peering through the scope on his rifle after finally escaping, Veiko bears witness to the accidental bombing of a Russian envoy carrying a captain accused of collaborating with the enemy. As Anni (Anni-Christina Juuso), a Laplander whose husband is off to war, scavenges for food, she runs across the bombing and finds disgraced soldier Ivan (Viktor Bychkov) clinging to life. Bringing him back to her house to nurse him to health, Anni is shocked when Veiko arrives in search of tools to remove his shackles. As language barriers keep the threesome from effectively communicating, Ivan's suspicions that Veiko is actually a German soldier begin to mount. Veiko and Anni's bond begins to grow, and as the lonely widow seduces Veiko, Ivan's jealousy and suspicions culminate in an attempt to murder the hapless Finnish sniper. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
103 mins

Complete Cast of The Cuckoo


Director(s):
Alexandr Rogozhkin
Writer(s):
Alexandr Rogozhkin
Producer(s):
Sergei Selyanov
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG13(Adult Humor, Violence, Not For Children, Sexual Situations)
The Cuckoo Awards:
  • 2002 - Moscow International Film Festival - Best Director
  • 2002 - Moscow International Film Festival - Best Actor
  • 2002 - Moscow International Film Festival - FIPRESCI Award (tie)
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Member Reviews
 
Andrea P.

I adored this brilliant, serio-comic, anti-war film. It is beautifully directed with or without dialogue (a long stretch near the beginning is wordless and masterfully sets up the Finn's character). IMPORTANT: Some of what other reviewers have written bear correction: 1. The characters have NOT reverted to a "pre-civilized" state. The Sami of Lapland lead simple, highly civilized lives. 2. "Kukushka" ("cuckoo" in English) is what the Russians called Finnish snipers during WWII; its secondary meaning in the film (which should not be given away in a review) is purposely meant to be ironic. 3. The condemned Finnish sniper is NOT in the SS. The other Finnish soldiers force him to wear a German SS uniform so that he will not surrender to the Russians, who, if they saw him in that garb, would shoot him on sight. 4. Even without the Sami woman's initial help, it is unlikely the Finn would be lost, as the film clearly shows his intelligence and resourcefulness.

Yes   |   No

 
Andrei G.

The cast is great. Actors didn't lie a bit. The story is romantic a bit, but true. You gotta know some about northern small tribes to understand Her. Keep in mind the fact that both Men are somewhere between life and death from very beginning. And just off the war actually. Whoever thinks story is unreal - too closeminded and civilized. Take a rifle and go to the forest for a couple of weeks. Alone. That might help a bit. Two tumbs up! Great movie. Clears gas/dollar/sex/violence fog of our todays evironment. Unecspected pleasure...

Yes   |   No

 
Adam C.

The Lapp (Finland's first inhabitants) woman is used to analyze modern civilizations at war - and to teach us a lesson from a simpler point of view. The fact that none of the characters understand each other is amusing for us as we understand them fully thanks to subtitles. I highly recommend this intelligent comedic drama.

Yes   |   No

 
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