About "Ivan Goes Abroad"

What if you were going to visit a long, lost Aunt in Birmingham, England but instead ended up in Birmingham, Alabama?

Director/writer Yuri Shapochka and co-writer Marina Bolshinskaya pose this startling question with their new, full length comedy Ivan Goes Abroad.

Newly published Russian writer, Ivan Boyko, receives a letter inviting him to come visit his Aunt who is living in Birmingham, England. Through a series of miscommunications Ivan ends up in Birmingham, Alabama in a home that most certainly does not belong to his Aunt. After being kicked out by the family he believed to be his own and robbed of his wallet and identification Ivan encounters many colorful characters, making new friends on his journeys through Birmingham, Alabama including a sweet, attractive TV reporter, a stripper, a "movie producer" named Basil who thinks aliens are everywhere and a man he believes to be a famous British writer he admires. The eclectic group takes him in as a friend, even helping to get a job as a busboy in an Italian restaurant. Ivan's story is finally told, thanks to his, reporter friend, after an unfortunate accident, a case of mistaken identity and the FBI become involved. Hilarious misadventures and heartfelt characters are found in abundance in this surprising, warm and unpredictable film.

Bringing a continually fresh and dynamic voice to the film community as a whole, Shapochka is excited to be filming this feature on location in Birmingham, Alabama with a talented cast including the legendary, Oscar winning actress Patricia Neal. Ms. Neal will be playing the role of Ivan's real Aunt living in England, so looking forward to her nephew's arrival.
Reviewed by Ashley Nix