Anna

Much-loved '60s Czech movie star Anna (Kirkland), imprisoned for criticising the authorities, is banished to the US. There her refugee spouse spurns her to make TV commercials. Now she's just a 'resting' actress. After an audition, she befriends fellow-immigrant Krystyna (the beautiful Porizkova), who has a photo of Anna clutched in her hand. Anna takes Krystyna home, and so begins the age-old tale of master and pupil. As soon as Krystyna has her teeth done, she lands a director in the Hamptons. Bigger and better roles follow, while Anna is attacked by the green-eyed monster. What price Hollywood? A must for those who adore all things theatrical, and a maybe for those who don't. Bogayevicz's superbly acted film is for the most part an amiable study of ageing and exile. Its low-key kookiness is reminiscent of Jarmusch; its final descent into mawkish melodrama is not.