Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic, this series offers an invaluable opportunity to see the best of Czech cinema. A mixture of films for the upcoming series reflects the diversity and some of the best cinema of Czech directors. The films delve into interwoven relationships, comedic adventures and love stories, to more serious topics of courage and strength in the wake of adversity. All of the films are in Czech with English subtitles.
Wed, Apr 14, 8:00 pm:
Dirty Soul
Director: Milan Cieslar, 2004, 99 min, in Czech with English subtitles
This tragicomic mosaic of stories focuses on three siblings: 16-year-old Anna, 26-year-old Jana, and their half brother Vladimir, age 35. Each of them is looking for the right person to come into their lives, but this merely leads to fumbling through life in a muddle while repeating the same mistakes. Anna is very far from her ideal of flashy beauty, and she struggles to be perfect as self doubts gnaw at her. In her naiveté, she gets caught by the same snares that trapped her sister. The elder girl is tearing through life in the fast lane—towards her first divorce. None of them realizes just how similar their problems are to those of their mother and brother, a brother they as yet know nothing about.
Awards:
Nominated for a Czech Lion for Best Actress (Tatiana Vilhelmova).
Wed, May 12, 8:00 pm:
A Little Piece of Heaven
Director: Petr Nikolaev, 2005, 85 min, in Czech with English subtitles
A Little Piece of Heaven tells a story of love, friendship, and solidarit—aspects of life that allows us to live with dignity even at the most difficult of times. Set within the walls of a Communist prison of the 1950s, a tale unfolds of a young couple’s fragile love. Despite the period setting, the film is not political propaganda. First and foremost, it is a romance which shows that love will find a way even under the most dramatic of circumstances. An angry young man, Lubos always felt defiance toward everything around him, and eventually this trait lands him in court. The verdict is clear and the punishment long and hard. Even in prison, Lubos is unable to tame his love of jazz or the eternally blazing flame of rebellion he carries inside. Lubos meets Dana in prison. It’s not a real meeting, more of an encounter of looks, a flying of sparks which leads to feelings of love. Out of solidarity and support, their fellow prisoners hatch a small rebellion to help them fulfill their love—a love which has appeared in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Awards:
Five nominations for 2006 Czech Lion Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Supporting Actor.
Wed, Jun 9, 8:00 pm:
Grapes 2
Director: Vlad Lanne, 2009, 95 min, in Czech with English subtitles
The Grapes 2 is the story of two young men. One is trying to integrate himself into the world of wine making, after inheriting his grandfather’s vineyard and wine cellar. The other has taken refuge at his friend’s after getting himself into trouble. Nothing goes like either wants it to go. They both have love problems. In a typical Moravian village, they attempt to keep the vineyard running and experience adventures which could cost them good wine, their women, and even life itself.
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