Kukushka (The Cuckoo) (2002)

87% of critics liked it
(62 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(3,237 ratings)

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… More 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

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Aleksandr Rogozhkin
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 11, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Dec 2, 2003
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Writer/director Alexander Rogozhkin has a way of lapsing into cuteness when the story calls for something more challenging, but The Cuckoo eventually finds its own kind of light, ridiculous tone that generally doesn't talk down to the characters.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
A consistently hilarious collision of cultures and a string of misunderstandings.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
A wondrous, funny and moving little film.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
It's quite a treat.
Michael Booth, Denver Post
A winning piece of folk art from an isolated way of life, worth a look for those who want to see the world in all its quirky and earthy forms.
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
This is an engrossing film with an oddly satisfying ending of genuine pathos.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[A] gentle, often funny, always very human film about loneliness and unexpected companionship...
Anton Bitel, Movie Gazette
A gently funny mini-epic whose 'make love not war' message is delivered in three languages at once.
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
Even for the art-house crowd, this is a difficult film to understand, but if you make the effort, you'll be well rewarded.
Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
Juuso, who made her film debut at 22 in this movie, is spunky and funny. The two guys play off each other like bickering old pals.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
Gives us something to think about: How much of what we consider civilization -- intellectual pursuit, politics, nationalism -- relies on language?
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
Anni is a feisty little thing and you can't help but root for her when she challenges these two burly soldiers and gets out of the relationship exactly what she wants.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
A bit overextended for its very simple story...but for the most part this is a charming, curiously touching picture.
Richard C. Walls, Orlando Weekly
A pretty good film -- a dark comedy rigorously observed -- until Rogozhkin reveals himself to be just another New Age softie.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
A mystical fairy tale by Alexander Rogozhkin as beautiful as it is tender.
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Quietly engrossing.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Panta O

I just love this movie... The Cuckoo (Russian: Кукушка, Kukushka)is one of the funniest and best anti-war movies I've seen! Perfect for the film students to learn how to do perfect photography, screenplay and… More
I just love this movie... The Cuckoo (Russian: Кукушка, Kukushka)is one of the funniest and best anti-war movies I've seen! Perfect for the film students to learn how to do perfect photography, screenplay and directing! Russian Federation National Award in the Art and Literature Area was awarded to the crew of the film; to the director and the author of the screenplay Aleksandr Rogozhkin, producer Segei Selianov, main cast Anni-Kristiina Juuso, Ville Haapasalo, Viktor Bychkov, director of photography Andrey Zhegalov, director of the film art Vladimir I. Svetozarov, composer Dmitriy Pavlov, sound engineers Anatoliy Gudkov and Sergei Sokolov... they all deserved it! Aleksandr Rogozhkin did amazingly smooth work of art which takes place during World War II from the perspective of opposing Soviet and Finnish soldiers stranded at a Sami woman's farmhouse. "Kukushka" was the nickname given by Soviet soldiers exclusively to lone Finnish snipers, who ambushed their targets from a purpose-built tree-branch-nest. Thus the title refers to both Veikko (the sniper) and Anni (a lone woman living in the forest, much like a cuckoo). If you have a chance to see it - do it now!