Articles
22.01.2021
Movie recommendations: “Inostranka” (“Madeleine in Odessa”)
As we know, people’s or citizen diplomacy is the one that is made not by politicians and certified diplomats but by the regular people living in our cities and countries – whenever they run marathons together, sing, take part in joint festivals… Like a children talent festival as the one described in the 1965 USSR film “Inostranka” (literally, “A Girl from Another Country”, localized as “Madeleine in Odessa”).
By this article, we are beginning a series of publications about the films and books dedicated to people’s diplomacy – and whatever is part of it.
The comedy about “A Girl from Another Country” was filmed at the Odessa Cinema Studio by the directing tandem of Alexander Seryi and Konstantin Zhuk.
The film’s protagonist is Madeleine, a French girl who comes to, naturally, Odessa under the strict supervision of her expatriate grandma – the latter is expecting to consult the Soviet lawyers on being reimbursed for her property that the government nationalized during the revolution.
Alone and bored, Madeleine decide to look for her lost heritage herself and on the way befriends a group of Soviet school students. Fascinated with her singing voice, the new acquaintances Tolya and Alyosha urge Madeleine to take part in a talent show organized in a summer camp.
Yet, the summer camp is rather far from the city… And Madeleine’s steamboat will have to sail eventually… To make matters more complicated, the friends are joined in their quest by Jaffar – a teenage Arabian prince of a very volatile temper.
Naturally, the majority of the plot-forming twists in the film are built on the contrast between socialistic ways of life (that are shown to their advantage), and the habits of the capitalistic West.
Indeed, you cannot simply start an ice-cream auction in the middle of a Soviet street, even if “monsieur Dupont” back at home “does it on a regular basis” (in the USSR, where prices for commodities were fixed, such a practice would be considered an actual crime at that time). And the boys on the beach do not care two straws about your noble rang, and their respect (along with supportive cheers “You go, gypsy!”) can only be won with your own courage and agility in a fight.
What makes this film interesting and valuable for out topic, though, is the combination of friendliness, understanding and sensitivity, that the main characters demonstrate while finding their way out of the awkward situations.
Their actions confirm the old postulate that if the world is truly to become a better and kinder place, it will happen through the efforts of today’s children. The children who, having first encountered a completely different way of thinking and immersed into a wholly different country, have understood something important – both about the country and themselves.
Probably, also that you cannot solve all differences by force and quarrel. If you don’t want to play fair and respectfully, you will be left alone on the steamboat. While the other will go and play football together.
Did you enjoy the article? We are planning to publish notes on books and movies on a weekly basis!
The comedy about “A Girl from Another Country” was filmed at the Odessa Cinema Studio by the directing tandem of Alexander Seryi and Konstantin Zhuk.
The film’s protagonist is Madeleine, a French girl who comes to, naturally, Odessa under the strict supervision of her expatriate grandma – the latter is expecting to consult the Soviet lawyers on being reimbursed for her property that the government nationalized during the revolution.
Alone and bored, Madeleine decide to look for her lost heritage herself and on the way befriends a group of Soviet school students. Fascinated with her singing voice, the new acquaintances Tolya and Alyosha urge Madeleine to take part in a talent show organized in a summer camp.
Yet, the summer camp is rather far from the city… And Madeleine’s steamboat will have to sail eventually… To make matters more complicated, the friends are joined in their quest by Jaffar – a teenage Arabian prince of a very volatile temper.
Naturally, the majority of the plot-forming twists in the film are built on the contrast between socialistic ways of life (that are shown to their advantage), and the habits of the capitalistic West.
Indeed, you cannot simply start an ice-cream auction in the middle of a Soviet street, even if “monsieur Dupont” back at home “does it on a regular basis” (in the USSR, where prices for commodities were fixed, such a practice would be considered an actual crime at that time). And the boys on the beach do not care two straws about your noble rang, and their respect (along with supportive cheers “You go, gypsy!”) can only be won with your own courage and agility in a fight.
What makes this film interesting and valuable for out topic, though, is the combination of friendliness, understanding and sensitivity, that the main characters demonstrate while finding their way out of the awkward situations.
Their actions confirm the old postulate that if the world is truly to become a better and kinder place, it will happen through the efforts of today’s children. The children who, having first encountered a completely different way of thinking and immersed into a wholly different country, have understood something important – both about the country and themselves.
Probably, also that you cannot solve all differences by force and quarrel. If you don’t want to play fair and respectfully, you will be left alone on the steamboat. While the other will go and play football together.
Did you enjoy the article? We are planning to publish notes on books and movies on a weekly basis!