HOUSE OF FOOLS
aka DOM DURAKOV

Year: 2002
USA: Paramount Classics
Cast: Bryan Adams, Julia Vysotsky, Sultan Islamov, Stanislav Varkki, Vladas Bagdonas, Yevgeni Mironov, Yelena Fomina, Marina Politsejmako
Director: Andrei Konchalovsky
Countries: Russia / France
Language: Russian / Chechen (English subtitles)
USA: 104 mins
USA Rated: R for language, some violence and nudity.
USA Release Date: 25 April 2003 (Limited Release)

Synopsis

In HOUSE OF FOOLS, a beautiful young Chechen woman, Janna (Julia Vysotsky) is one of several inmates living in a psychiatric hospital, Insulated from the world, the inmates are oblivious to the war that rages around them.

Janna spends her time playing her accordion. Her playing soothes the mischievous and sometimes violent behavior of her fellow patients. In her private dream world, Janna finds comfort and safety when 'finace' Bryan Adams sings her love songs. One evening, the train that had nightly delighted the inmates, does not pass. In the morning, when the patients awaken to discover that the medical staff has vanished, the problems of the outside world begin to invade their refuge.

As Russian troops near, the patients must fend for themselves. The insane, the fragile and the handicapped must now organize themselves as best they can. As some begin thinking of leaving, the sound of nearby bombing sends then running back for cover.

A group of Chechen soldiers invade the hospital. Janne becomes attracted to a soldier and plans to leave with him. But she is left behind when the Chechens leave. Disappointed and saddened, all she can do is play her accordion and revel in the love of her 'fiance', Bryan.