| Goodbye Soviet Union | |
| Director: | Lauri Randla |
| Cinematography: | Elen Lotman |
| Runtime: | 86 minutes |
Goodbye Soviet Union (et|Hüvasti, NSVL, fi|Näkemiin Neuvostoliitto) is a 2020 Estonian-Finnish tragicomedy film and the first Ingrian film. It was written and directed by Lauri Randla.[1]
Set during the final years of the Soviet Union, the film follows Johannes (Niklas Kouzmitšev), a young boy growing up in an Ingrian family in Soviet Estonia. Johannes's free-spirited mother (Nika Savolainen) is drawn to Western ideals, while his grandmother (Ülle Kaljuste) hopes to raise him as a loyal Soviet citizen. Amid the backdrop of Estonia's push for independence, Johannes navigates family tensions, his mother's emigration to Finland, and his first love with a Chechen girl named Vera (Elene Baratašvili).
The film was financed by Estonian Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, Eurimages, and Eesti Kultuurkapital, and was co-produced with Yle. Distribution in Finland was handled by B-Plan Distribution. Both Estonian Film Institute and the Finnish Film Foundation expressed strong early interest in the project.[2] Notably, it became the largest single investment by Estonian Film Institute.
The film was initially slated for release in March 2020, but its premiere was delayed. Pre-screenings in June were met with high demand, selling out in parts of the Helsinki metropolitan area.[3]
The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its humor and unique perspective on Soviet life.
| Rating (out of 5) | Reference | ||
| Karjalainen | 4/5 | [4] | |
| Me Naiset | 4/5 | [5] | |
| Helsingin Sanomat | 2/5 | [6] |