The problem of intolerance towards other people has always haunted humanity. Especially when it comes to one’s own identity and sexual preferences. Some people cannot accept those who are not like them, and this leads to almost unfounded hatred. But nothing good can come of this view of the world. The comedy «Lessons in Tolerance» revolves around such ideas. In this review, we will tell you how the movie turned out.
Genre comedy
Director Arkady Nepytalyuk
Starring Olena Uzliuk, Oleksandr Piskunov, Oleksandr Yarema, Karolina Mruga, Akmal Gurezov, Borys Georgievsky, Nina Naboka
Premiere movie theaters
Year of release 2024
Website IMDb
The Naiduk family, living in Podillia, is far from an ideal family. The money in the family comes from the teacher Nadiia (Olena Uzliuk). Her husband Zenik (Oleksandr Yarema) lives a life of beer and idleness. Their children live in dreams, not reality, so they can’t boast of anything special. This family is constantly drowning in quarrels, and creditors are ruining their lives with the debt for the apartment.
Because of their difficult situation, Nadiya agrees to take part in the European integration program «Tolerance Lessons». As part of the program, the Naiduks have to take in an openly gay man, Vasyl Zayets (Akmal Gurezov). The family does not treat LGBT+ people in the best way, but this meeting can change everything for the better.
The irony is that Vasyl breaks the stereotypes about gay people that have been living in some minds for many years for no reason. He is an ordinary man with an ordinary profession, just with his own preferences. He is well-mannered and polite. Against his background, it is the Naydiuks who seem, if not freaks, then something close to a similar status. The whole movie is based on this contrast. There are no strange script intrigues or unconventional director’s finds.
«Lessons in Tolerance» is a movie about one idea. But this idea is important enough to dedicate the entire movie to it.
It’s also based on a play, which creates its own mood when you watch it. The movie is intimate and situational, it doesn’t have too much space, but it manages its characters and circumstances with skill. The acting here still winks a little at theatrical expression. It may seem unnecessary to some, but it definitely has its own charm.
The film is structured like a series, as it is divided into specific situations in which the intolerance of the Naiduks clashes with Vasyl’s worldview. And gradually the family realizes that aggressive attitudes toward LGBT people are only part of their problem. At its core, the film shows us how conservatism spoils lives and poisons family relationships.
Of course, the Naiduks here are also largely based on stereotypes. But these stereotypes are already quite real. I’m sure that you will be able to recognize at least one of your friends in almost every one of the main characters. And this also emphasizes the importance of local history. After all, Ukrainians, especially in the current circumstances, should look at the world with a broad view, and not hold on to strange prejudices.
One could dig into the film and find more depressing moments (for example, the general state of the protagonists’ apartment emphasizes their moral decline). But this is not worth doing, because «Lessons in Tolerance» is a thoroughbred comedy. The comedy is good, sincere and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. It deals with eternal themes, but presents them in the context of acute issues about LGBT people. And it works, so the movie leaves a positive impression.
«Lessons of Tolerance» works as a good reminder that we should be kinder to each other. It is sad that some viewers see this concept as something hostile. Hence the situation when the poster of the movie at the «October» cinema was poured with black paint. The director is only surprised by this attitude.
But, roughly speaking, if there are horses in a movie somewhere, it’s not a movie about horses, is it? We have one character who is gay, but so what? There are different characters. But for them, this stimulus is enough: ‘Oh, my God, it’s just a disaster, propaganda. They seriously believe that if we show a homosexual, he will infect the people in the audience with his presence on the screen. The guys will watch it and decide: «Let’s go, I’m going to be gay!» They are talking to themselves, not to my movie.
Arkady Nepytalyuk, director of «Tolerance Lessons»
The topic of LGBT people is only a conditional clickbait for society, and it could have been better explored. But the main focus of the movie is something more eternal and sincere. Something that I would definitely like to find and keep in people’s hearts forever. If the movie becomes just such a preservation for someone, its mission is fully accomplished.
