Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

The Secret

  • 20012001
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
29
YOUR RATING
Filmed in the Ukranian Village in the West Town area of Chicago, brought to you by MDR Films.Filmed in the Ukranian Village in the West Town area of Chicago, brought to you by MDR Films.Filmed in the Ukranian Village in the West Town area of Chicago, brought to you by MDR Films.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
29
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Melinda Roenisch
  • Writer
    • Melinda Roenisch
  • Stars
    • Richard Bull
    • Carey Cannon
    • Maury Cooper
Top credits
  • Director
    • Melinda Roenisch
  • Writer
    • Melinda Roenisch
  • Stars
    • Richard Bull
    • Carey Cannon
    • Maury Cooper
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Bull
    Richard Bull
    • Grandpa
    Carey Cannon
    Carey Cannon
    • Katya
    Maury Cooper
    Maury Cooper
    • Crony
    Diane Fabian
    • Gossip 1
    Oksana Fedunyszyn
    Oksana Fedunyszyn
    • Sophia
    Luba Goy
    Luba Goy
    • Gossip 2
    Brian Hamman
    Brian Hamman
    • Mikola
    Mila Kanev
    • Gossip 3
    Chris Kipiniak
    Chris Kipiniak
    • Ivan
    Marcella Mencotti
    • Mama (Iryna Dobrovich)
    Fern Persons
    • Great Aunt Daria
    Heather Prete
    • Nadya
    Lusia Strus
    Lusia Strus
    • Olenka
    Meredith Zinner
    Meredith Zinner
    • Lesia
    • Director
      • Melinda Roenisch
    • Writer
      • Melinda Roenisch
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Student Film
    A quirky family in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood in Chicago awaits and survives the arrival of the Great Aunt from the old country. The grandfather, mother, two sisters, and brother all live under the same roof, while a chorus of women keep an eye on what's going on. Magical realism plays a role as the flowers move and members of the family talk to them. It's an odd film which almost feels more like a play at times, both in the staging and in the acting, which gave it a bit of the feel of a student film. A very good student film, don't get me wrong. The story is engaging, as are most of the actors. The camera work isn't all that sophisticated, and it's the combination of this plus the music that give it away as an independent film. It lacks the high gloss quality of a big studio production. Again, that's not a criticism, just an observation. I liked the music. It was thematic. Every time we were in the church we heard church music. There was a lot of cello and clarinet. Sometimes the cello was a bit too obvious. Sometimes the music was WAY too obvious in foreshadowing what would happen next. But the film engaged me for the 1h40 or so that it runs, and it made me think a bit afterwards, and I appreciate that.
    helpful•7
    1
    • murcielago17
    • Apr 12, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 12, 2001 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Production companies
      • MDR Films Inc.
      • Optimus, Chicago
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in July
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Hollywood Romances: Our Favorite Couples
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.