Mimino (1977)
Georgian bush pilot Valentin (Valiko) Mizandari a.k.a. Mimino works at small local airlines, flying helicopters between small villages. But he dreams of piloting large international airlines aircrafts, so he goes to Moscow for refresher courses. There in a hotel he meets truck driver Robik who is given a place in that hotel by mistake, and they have a lot of adventures in Moscow. Always amicable and open to people, Mimino does not feel at home in the big city. Nevertheless, he becomes a pilot of a supersonic jet liner, the Tupolev Tu-144, flying all over the world. But feeling homesick, he finally comes back to his native town of Telavi in Georgia, to his family and friends.
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Memorable, crazy movie
This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
for Vakhtang Kikabidze performance, one of Soviet cinema legends . for the music. and for the game with national identity details. nostalgic, fresh, warm, it is testimony of a time and proof of a kind of freedom. show of small things, picture of cultural misunderstandings, story of honest man in big city, it is not exactly a comedy but bitter reflection to sense of desire. moral lesson, like many other films of period, it is, today, nostalgic view of self - definition. beautiful images of Georgia, streets of Moscow, silhouette of churches, meetings and troubles, the secondary characters of village, the people of city, the cow in air and the adorable Hachikian in Frunzik Mkrchyan are parts of touching entertainment. In this conditions, Mimino remains a bright face of a period , poetic, childish and really precious.
What can I say about this film? I'm a fan of Russian and old USSR cinema, speak Russian, and have traveled in Russia and central Asia - so I am fairly well versed in the Slavophile mythology of the Russian soul. This is a film that sort of plays to that, and I am sure by writing a critical review of this movie, I will be accused of not understanding. This film attempts to tell a story about Mimino, a Georgian pilot who travels to the big city with dreams of being an international pilot, only to learn that there is "no place like home". Quaint? Yes. Interesting? Not really.There are of course many stereotypes in this film as well. Frunzik Mkrtchyan as Rubik Khachikyan is quite funny, but I doubt this character would endear himself to many Armenians.The Georgian landscapes are attractive and interesting, there is lots of gentle humor in the movie ... but overall this is a film only worth watching if you have an interest in Russian films.
Mimino is without doubt the most famous Georgian movie and the best Georgian movie.I have seen this movie when I was with a Georgian and who lives in the Netherlands.He translated and explained me the jokes and conversations.I know a Georgian who saw this movie maybe 100 times.When I ask:why do you watch this movie so much?He gives me the answer:I can see this movie always because the humor is so good.He has a point there because after 100 times watch this movie he still laughs.I speak a little bit Russian so I understand a little bit.There was an Armenian who said:What a pity you don't know very good Russian because its a great movie.I asked:Why is this movie not available with Dutch subtitles and a Georgian said:Its the Georgian culture its for Georgians and Soviets.You must understand the Soviet culture and the Russian language.But I think the stupid American movies like Naked Gun are in every country on television and in every country available on DVD.So why not Mimino then?
"Mimino" is one of those films everyone in the Old Soviet Union has seen at least a dozen times. The phrases, ideomatic expressions, and wonderful accents have become a stable of Russian humor. A simple story of a country bumpkin aspiring great hights is symbolic and metaphorical of Russians (by that I mean anyone in the CIS) in general, be they from Georgia or Turkmenistan And how can one not hum one of the catchiest tunes of the Soviet Era films. Chita Drita Chita Margolito.....DA