A hard film to get into because of the darkness and setting, dealing with an American teenage girl (Alyssa Milano) who goes to stay with an aunt she's never met in the Soviet Union territory of Estonia (now its own country) and becomes involved in religious struggles with those who believe and those who strive to deny that freedom. She falls for the handsome Chad Lowe, becomes close with aunt Natalya Andrejchenko and finds herself being spied upon by Soviet colonel Maximilian Schell. The government is trying to stop a Christmas celebration from taking place so the believers strive to create a crowd that in sheer numbers can't be beat.
The most shocking situation is a scene where an old woman witnesses a Soviet soldier ripping off a religious poster and is thrown to the ground when she tries to stop him. This leads to a riot when townsfolk witnessing the abuse and further stirs up Milano to become involved. Maybe not the most merry of holiday films, but definitely one that shows the determination of celebrating the love of God and the desire for complete freedom. While Milano is good, Andrejchenko is excellent, reminding me of a young Ingrid Bergman. Not one I'd put a star on the too of, but inspirational in other ways.
The most shocking situation is a scene where an old woman witnesses a Soviet soldier ripping off a religious poster and is thrown to the ground when she tries to stop him. This leads to a riot when townsfolk witnessing the abuse and further stirs up Milano to become involved. Maybe not the most merry of holiday films, but definitely one that shows the determination of celebrating the love of God and the desire for complete freedom. While Milano is good, Andrejchenko is excellent, reminding me of a young Ingrid Bergman. Not one I'd put a star on the too of, but inspirational in other ways.