20%
5 Reviews
Tomatometer
56%
100+ Ratings
Audience Score
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Audience Member
It's got a young Sylvia Hoeks in it. That's enough really. But I just loved the story which is a glorious mix of emotions. I loved it's gloriously unconventional idiosyncratic sillyness and pathos.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
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Audience Member
An older film critic's life gets interrupted by an unexpected visitor. He is busy dreaming about a much younger and smashingly beautiful girl that works at the cinema near his home. He watches films, he interact we few people, and he tries to write up a story for a film. He lives in a small apartment and seem to have a pretty isolated and sad life, but he seem to enjoy his excistense.
There are very little dialogue here. I wondered if two of the leads where mute until the film had lasted for nearly 30 minutes. Then comes the third lead - Duska. A man that don't know a word Dutch, he only speaks Russian. As we figure out what he wants, we also can ask the same question to the other leads - what do they want?
It looks good and the first part of it is interesting and very good. The later part seem like a step in the wrong direction and it's a segment that seem too long for it's purpose. At times very relatable, quite sad film with some moments of happiness. A bit artsy - the director catches me as an light version of Alex van Warmerdam.
7 out of 10 snack eating tricks.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
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Audience Member
A sentimental, dumb, revolting and long story about one thing only: abuse of hospitality. Quite an interesting movie if you know Russianover-the-top hospitality traditions and Western European just-enough hospitality.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
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Audience Member
A cute comedic Dutch production that tests western European feeling towards an integration with the big Russian bear now that the boundaries have blurred. When life follows art ... and art being just a representation of something already seen before.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
Full Review
Audience Member
And the dirt goes: "Bob! Bob!"
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/03/23
Full Review
Audience Member
It is a little different. However, being Ukrainian, I am a bit disappointed how Eastern Europeans are portrayed in the movie. Plus, Duska, Ukrainian homeless man is being played by Russian actor. I think it is a bit odd too.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
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Cast & Crew
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Cast & Crew
Jennie Punter
Globe and Mail
Its captivating visual storytelling makes it a work of pure cinema.
Rated: 3/4
Apr 10, 2009
Full Review
Greg Quill
Toronto Star
After the first 30 minutes, rendered almost entirely without dialogue, an uneasy blend of sentimental comic haze and sinister Pinter-esque gloom settles over Dutch director Jos Stelling's visually engaging but not quite satisfying Duska.
Rated: 2.5/4
Apr 10, 2009
Full Review
Jay Weissberg
Variety
Starts well, with playful, warmhearted lensing following the shy protag as he watches his fantasy girl, but soon the characters become a deadly combination of unfunny and moronic, like Mr. Bean without the charm.
Oct 18, 2008
Full Review
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies
Chances are you'll see it much more clearly as an experiment that goes on too long.
Rated: 2/5
Apr 10, 2009
Full Review
James Wegg
JWR
If Duska had ended after the first twenty minutes Jos Stelling's latest effort would have been hailed as a cinematic masterpiece ...
Rated: 3/5
Jan 10, 2008
Full Review
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