Kin-dza-dza!

It is the 1980's, and Vladimir Mashkov is a foreman in Moscow. One day, while walking along Kalinin Prospekt- now New Arbat Avenue- he spots a peculiar barefooted man speaking about space, holding what he claims to be a teleportation device. Gedevan, a young violinist, also notices the man, and- sceptical but intrigued- they engage with the stranger, only to find themselves whisked away through space and time to a planet called Pluke. Will they be able to survive the strange societal norms of this far-away world, and can they ever make it back to earth?

Directed by Georgiy Daneliya, 'Kin-dza-dza!' is a wild science-fiction adventure that is like an interstellar 'Alice In Wonderland'. Written by Daneliya and Revaz Gabriadze, its narrative is both compelling and comedic, though also has thematic depth. As it unfolds, the film evolves from a quirky space adventure into a poignant critique of humanity. Daneliya and Gabriadze's storytelling is a balancing act of satire and sympathy, making the audience laugh while simultaneously provoking thought about deeper issues. They use the society on Pluke to satirise and comment upon the absurdities of our own societal norms and the often arbitrary nature of authority and power.

As Mashkov and Gedevan grapple with the planet's bizarre customs and language, viewers are invited to reflect on the peculiarities of human behaviour and the universal search for belonging and understanding. As they struggle to adapt to a world where the mundane becomes extraordinary and the illogical becomes law, the audience is drawn into a journey that is as much about self-discovery as it is about survival. The film masterfully intertwines the comedic with the critical, using the alien landscape as a mirror to our world. The characters' odyssey becomes a metaphor for the human condition, questioning what it means to be 'civilized' and challenging the viewer's perceptions of normalcy.

Moreover, the stark landscape of Pluke is a canvas upon which Daneliya and Gabriadze paint a scathing critique of discrimination and class difference. The inhabitants of the planet, divided by a rigid class system denoted by the colour of their pants, reflect the often unspoken yet deeply entrenched societal divisions of our own world. Daneliya does not shy away from depicting the absurdity of prejudice based on arbitrary markers, be it the colour of one's trousers or the circumstances of one's birth. Through the lens of science-fiction, the film invites viewers to confront the uncomfortable realities of inequality and the illogical nature of societal hierarchies.

It is also a technical achievement on every level. Aleksandr Samulekin and Teodor Tezhik's production design is a testament to their resourcefulness and creativity. Despite the constraints of a modest budget, they crafted a visual spectacle that rivals the grandeur of more lavishly funded sci-fi epics. The spacecrafts, seemingly cobbled together from spare parts, and the expansive interiors of private compounds, are not just set pieces but characters in their own right.

Furthermore, the environments of Pluke, from its barren landscapes to the intricately detailed interiors, serve as a canvas for the film's exploration of themes, such as resource scarcity and the stark divide between social classes. The clever use of everyday items repurposed into futuristic technology not only adds a layer of authenticity to the world-building but also mirrors the film's commentary on consumerism and waste.

In addition, cinematographer Pavel Lebeshev captures the desolation of Pluke with a palette that is both stark and expressive, complementing the film's tone astutely. His use of lighting and camera angles brings the barren environment to life, fostering a sense of isolation that mirrors the characters' internal struggles. The contrast between the starkness of the planet's surface and the occasional bursts of vibrant colour serves to highlight moments of hope and humanity in an otherwise bleak world.

Moreover, Lebeshev's skilful framing serves to isolate Mashkov and Gedevan within the vastness of the landscape, emphasizing their vulnerability and the daunting task of finding their way home. Yet, it is in these moments of solitude that the characters- and the audience- find a connection to the universal themes of resilience and companionship. In this way, Lebeshev's commendable work complements and aids the narrative perfectly.

Stanislav Lyubshin stars as Mashkov, opposite Levan Gabriadze as Gedevan and Yevgeny Leonov and Yury Yakovlev as two Plukanians who join in their quest. Lyubshin delivers a multifaceted performance that anchors the film's fantastical elements with a sense of everyman realism. His portrayal is a blend of bewilderment and determination, capturing the essence of a man torn from his world, yet striving to understand and overcome the challenges ahead of him.

Gabriadze's Gedevan is the perfect foil to Mashkov's stoicism. Gabriadze infuses his role with a youthful curiosity and an idealistic charm that resonates with the viewer's sense of adventure. His wide-eyed wonder and gradual character growth reflect the film's underlying message about the value of experience and the power of perspective. They share a brilliant chemistry, embodying the confusion and camaraderie that comes with being strangers in a strange land.

Leonov and Yakovlev, meanwhile, excel as the comedic aliens; delivering whimsical and wise performances, bringing both comedy and pathos to the tale. The dynamic between them is nothing short of delightful. Leonov's comedic genius shines through in his character's eccentricities and unexpected depth, while Yakovlev's delivers a masterclass in physical comedy and timing. Together, their characters provide not only levity but also a critical commentary on the nature of communication and misunderstanding.

A fun trip to a strange world, Georgiy Daneliya's 'Kin-dza-dza!' is a brilliant piece of science-fiction, that defies the confines of time and space. It resonates with viewers on multiple levels, featuring thematic depth, as well as bounteous humour. Containing stunning production design and striking cinematography, it is a truly original piece of work. Boasting strong performances from all in the cast that leave an indelible mark on the viewer's memory, 'Kin-dza-dza!' is truly out of this world.

I can't believe this movie has been out for twenty years, and no one in the US has ever heard of it. I wish the studio that owns the rights would release it on DVD, and allow many American critics to see one of the great Russian masterpieces of film. I first saw this film on the IMDb Top 50 Sci-fi poll, and decided to give it a try. I was able to locate it online, and within a few days it had finished downloading. Until they release this on DVD with English subtitles, downloading the movie is really you're only option (unless you are Russian). It shouldn't be too hard to find, however, just be patient.

Anyway, this film is a complete joy! All of the characterizations are perfect, and the film's gritty futuristic feeling is a mix of Star Wars, Blade Runner and Rosencrantz and Guidenstern Are Dead. I can't recommend this film enough! It's a smart, funny and brilliant piece of cinema that I hope finds its niche before its too late.

Please, before seeing this film, let your political ideologies outside the room and just prepare to laugh with this original pearl.

It's fairly unknown outside Russia, and sometimes I wonder if I'm the only Spaniard having seen it....I hope not, such a pity!.

This film is a complete classic in Russia and has even transformed local talking, so don't be surprised if you walk one day by the streets of Moscow and you see two friends who meet and say "Koo!" each other, or if someone is bothering and he is sent away by an "Violinist players, we don't need them!".

The story is fantastic and engaged. It's one of those films who makes you laugh and sit for a while thinking about life. Maybe you don't agree to everything but is worth the reflexion. The filming is direct and simple (you're going to laugh, but not for the same reasons, special effect's lovers) and the acting is superb.

One of the best comedies ever made in Russia.

English/American culture (for the most part) tends to be rather reclusive, for example, there are virtually no foreign language songs on the radio. Because of this, many classics are missed, simply because people do now know about them.

This movie is the best example of a great classic unknown. If it would be made it Brittan in the sixties, it would have defiantly achieved cult status, and be widely regarded as all-time sci-fi classic. Alas, it is in Russian, and made at the end of the cold war, and therefore virtually unknown outside of the former Soviet Union.

The movie is full of wonderfully black humour (if you are higher up on the social scale, you sleep on a bed without nails, and they cannot beat you in the middle of the night), desert world with rusted metal structures, and wonderfully eccentric telepathic aliens with bizarre social structures.

This movie is truly a must see – a word of warning however, this is so far from a Hollywood movie, it is it's evil twin. Unlike Hollywood it has: A story Strong characters Crap special effects Complete lack of "touchy feely"

To get the best experience: 1. find subtitled version 2. find a Russian to watch it with you

I'm really surprised about the commentators referring to "сrappy special effects" in Kin-dza-dza. Are you crazy guys ? Re-watch "Terminator" with all that crappy cheezy stop-motion in bare endosceletone scenes. LEGO brick movies fans shoot the same with a cheap camera. Just think that "сrappy soviet SFX" in Kin-dza-dza uses no stop-motion or scale-down, all Plukan flying tech moves absolutely smoothly and is integrated into the picture completely seamlessly. Compare this to any famous same age sci-fis. Robocop-2 uses stop-motion to animate a scale-down figure of Robocain, and Robocop is a live actor imitating robo-moves inside a costume. And in Kin-dza-dza you see all fantastic Plukan flying tech like real-time real-size (no scale down, no stop-motion) moving objects integrated into the picture seamlessly. So please, just don't confuse the minimalistic design of Plukan starcrafts which is an important part of the scenario with poor rendition of SFX in this movie. Plukan tech is minimalistic dirty rusty crappy looking squeaking - it was deliberately planned so by the movie makers and conveys some ideas.