Borislav Brondukov Movies

The Russian Jazzman (or more appropriately Jazzmen) is set in the '20s, when American jazz music was "not recommended" by Soviet ideologists. The film follows the misadventures of four street musicians who scratch out a meager living playing two-bit engagements here and there and dream of being a real jazz band. The picture is a loving and charming tribute to the first Russian jazz enthusiasts. ~ Yuri German, Rovi

This semi-realistic comedy-fantasy by director and co-writer Georgi Danelia features a lower-level bureaucrat who snaps on the way home from work after a particularly stressful day at the office -- and begins to let loose what he really thinks, no matter the consequences. As his wife is talking on the phone, he grabs the receiver and hangs it up -- she is addicted to talking on the phone and this has always bothered him. His son-in-law and daughter use the television set as a babysitter for the man's granddaughter, and so he blows off steam at them too, demanding his son-in-law go out and find a job. Then he leaves and, after some minor adventures, heads to the office the following morning where he tells everyone else off -- all the petty crooks who take or give small bribes for favors. Although in the end he cannot stand life at all and tries several versions of suicide, he fails miserably each time and finally talks to his granddaughter on the phone who seems to have a remedy for him. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi