Taste of America

The familiar tale of an immigrant family's journey to America is turned into a magical mystery tour as seen through the eyes of 11-year old Motl. The boy's imagination spins wildly as he and his family--loaded down with all their worldly goods and their other-worldly "baggage"--make their way from the shtetl to America. Inspired by the paintings of Marc Chagall, director Efim Gribov interprets the workings of Motl's imagination via comic and grotesque figures, ghosts from the past, and a dreamy, surreal atmosphere. The film's tragi-comic tone and theme involving the American Dream make for an inspired viewing experience.

After the death of her mother, little Olya lives alone with her father. One evening, a girl hears her father inviting his beloved girl Sveta to stay with them forever. But she offers to send the girl to a 24-hour kindergarten so that she does not become a burden for them. Olya asks the teacher Varya what this word means? Olya is very attached to her teacher and she would like to see her as a new mother.

Somewhere on the coast, away from the village, a team of road workers lives and works - several families. Their work is hard and meaningless - the road they are constantly repairing leads nowhere and is not needed by anyone. The monotony of this life is broken by a couple who have settled next to each other in a tent, traveling by car. These are people of a different social stratum, a different culture. Their relationship, lifestyle attract the hero of the film - twelve-year-old Yurka. The boy gets closer to the visitors. This leads to a serious conflict with parents and makes them think about their lives.