Steven Spielberg has long established himself as a filmmaker, who knows how to choose spectacular stories for screen adaptations and create fictional worlds. In 2004, nothing prevented the master from coming up with a modern power with the operetta name Cracogia. Where this state is located is not known for certain, but its toponym very much resembles a mixture of Krakow and Georgia (Georgia in English). The author settled in him a simple hard worker with the famous Oscar-winning face of Tom Hanks and presented to the public his heartbreaking story in the movie “Terminal”.
Film about proletarian solidarity
Everyone has long known the truth that when you leave your native country, there is no guarantee that the other will accept you. The character of Tom Hanks, Victor Navorsky, flies to the United States from his native country of Krakozhia (sort of like the Slavic-speaking power of Eastern Europe). But upon arrival in New York, he learns that during his travels in his homeland, a military-political coup occurred. The hero loses not only the Fatherland, which ceases its official existence, but also the American visa and the opportunity to return back. Now, formally not being an emigrant, Navorski, who is stuck in the transit zone of an American airport, is forced to live and work there without leaving the border control zone. He finds friends and true love in the person of stewardess Amelia Warren (charming Catherine Zeta-Jones).
Based on real events
It is impossible to state unequivocally where the country of Krakozh is located. But the fact that the film is based on a real story is for sure. A similar incident occurred with Iranian citizen Merhan Karimi Nasseri, who was “stuck” at the airport of Charles De Gaulle (France) in 1988. The man’s portfolio was stolen, in it were all his documents confirming his identity. This story was filmed in 1994 by French filmmakers. The film is entitled "Fallen from the Sky," starring Jean Rochefort.
Although in fairness it is worth noting that Spielberg’s project is most likely based on several similar stories. Unfortunately, transit passengers, trapped in bureaucratic traps and found themselves hostage to the situation, forced to live at airports, are not uncommon. But you need to be able to film these sad cases, and Spielberg does it just perfectly. Although, imbued with the situation during the viewing, the viewer still continues to reflect on what kind of country is Krakozhia, and where it is located.
Anti-bureaucratic melodrama
Spielberg would not have been by himself if he had not ordered the construction of a chic decoration, exactly matching the airport terminal, for the filming process in an unexploited aircraft hangar. The scenery, unlike the film, caused a positive response among film experts analyzing the tape. “Terminal”, with a rating of IMDb 7.30, received critical reviews from film critics.
Particularly dissatisfied critics positioned the project as "Spielberg's worst directorial work." But even at the airport with the usual mundane surroundings such as luggage trolleys and Burger King, against the backdrop of the director, the audience managed to get the audience to feel the story of a person trying every day to find a way out of the impasse.
New stage of evolution
Many of the foreign scholars considered the protagonist a native of the country of Krakozhia, once part of the USSR. Which is not surprising, because this state, even after its collapse, can give birth to any kind of characters at the request of a Hollywood fantasy.
It should be noted that the main character at Spielberg turned out to be very attractive, given that usually people from the USSR with the light hand of Hollywood businessmen get similar to Oorfene Jus. As it turned out, people who are not related to US citizenship in the products of the "Dreamland" can also have all human qualities, habits, weaknesses and aspirations. They can even love jazz. The simple-minded and slightly clumsy Victor is a new stage in the evolution of the image of our compatriots in American cinema. The fact that he is played by Tom Hanks, who is considered the main specialist in the roles of the protagonists in Hollywood, can be considered a signal of a change in mood in relation to us, formerly “Soviet”.
Another alien
A stranger from the country of Krakozhiya does not understand such things as the wisdom of the English language and food stamps, but is no longer filled with alcohol and does not break others' limbs, like Schwarzenegger in the "Red Heat".
Most of the inhabitants of our planet live in much worse conditions than the Americans. But Victor from Krakozhiya does not allow the thought of staying in the States forever. This is a huge shift in the minds of Hollywood filmmakers, because Navorski's return home means that the light has not come together in a successful and prosperous America , and they love their homeland because it is simply their homeland. Even if it’s Krakozh.
Information for consideration
Spectators, wondering where the country of Krakozhia is located, the authors of the “Terminal” tape, throughout the entire timing, throw up new facts. For example, in an episode in which the protagonist approaches a passportist in the hope of obtaining permission to enter America, among the documents in his hand is a driver's license issued in the city of Gomel (Belarus).
Already before leaving for his homeland, Navorski passes against the backdrop of a flight schedule. The sign lights up on the scoreboard: "Crackers - departure is allowed." Further in the column “Country” UA is listed - but this is not Ukraine, but United Airlines.
In a scene with Milodragovic, Tom Hanks speaks the Russian text offhand. The episode is very expressive. The actor uses the Bulgarian language as a “Krakozhiysky” (Russian sounds in Russian localization, but with a noticeable accent). The hero of Valery Nikolaev in the original version of the picture speaks Russian, Ukrainian sounds in localization.
Therefore, the conclusion suggests itself: Krakozhia is a fictional Eastern European power that in the past was part of the USSR.