Oblako-ray / Cloud Heaven (1990, Nikolay Dostal)
Cloud Heaven tells the tale of a small town in Siberia, where nothing seems to happen and no one really has anything to talk about - or at least that is the case of Kolya. Desperate for conversation and connection, he is struggling with having absolutely nothing to say. The best he can muster is questions about the weather, tragically asking people over and over again if they think the weatherman is right and that it is going to rain. The people around him see him as nothing but a nuisance, even his best friends. Life is standing still, especially on a Sunday, with everyone trapped in their own empty existences.
The joy, unease and power of Cloud Heaven come from the absurd and instant switch of perception, when Kolya, needing something to say, stumbles into the lie that he is leaving for the far east that very night. In a matter of seconds, he is not just the most interesting and beloved man in town, everyone seems to wake up from their daze with an unnerving zealous exuberance. Their lives seem to get meaning from the fact that one amongst them is leaving, all living through him, unable to get enough of him. They put on their finest clothes, party, celebrate, and push to ensure that nothing deters Kolya from his adventure.
This is a bizarre off-beat comedy with a borderline surreal atmosphere - think Kafka without the bureaucracy - as Kolya's entire world is turned upside down, and he is forced to resign, give away his possessions and possibly even his apartment. He tries to break the illusion or find some way to stay, but his "friends", and suddenly he has a lot of "friends", just won't let him "give up". While rarely laugh-out-loud funny, you will likely be smirking throughout at the ludicrous existential display, but there is always a true sense of utter unease, and even tragedy, as the clash between lie, delusion and reality creeps ever closer and Kolya may just be forced to leave without a goal, destination or anyone to turn to.
8.5/10