East of the West - Competition 2008 / O rodičích a dětech / Czech Republic 2008
The regular walks taken together by a middle-aged son and his aging father through the magical urban landscape of Prague served experienced director as a starting point for his bitter-sweet comedy about family, personal and historical relationships. The fine performances by Josef Somr and David Novotný add to the film’s appeal.
What are the things which unite and divide a 40-year-old son, currently in a trouble-free relationship, and his aging father, a former scientist whose memory is burdened by two wars and a host of other historical and private absurdities? The bond which has been developing between them for over 40 years has its distressing yet also humorous moments, its obligations and even its mysteries – and it’s still not certain that they can avoid making the same mistakes again and again… Experienced director Vladimír Michálek creates a bitter-sweet comedy from a seemingly banal situation, where father and son go on a walk together through the magical urban landscape of Prague. The story wends its way through the generations, from the family’s private “little” past to major events in 20th century history. This intelligent, fresh and compelling film, inspired by the novel by leading contemporary writer Emil Hakl (awarded the Magnesia Litera Prize), offers subtle yet rousing performances from Josef Somr (Father) and David Novotný (Son).
112 min / Color, 35 mm
International premiere
Director Vladimír Michálek
/ Screenplay Vladimír Michálek, Emil Hakl, Jiří Křižan
/ Dir. of Photography Martin Štrba
/ Music Michal Lorenc
/ Editor Jiří Brožek
/ Producer Michal Smrek, Jan Dobrovský
/ Production Open Field Pictures
/ Cast Josef Somr, David Novotný, Mariana Kroftová, Luboš Kostelný, Zuzana Stivínová, Jiří Lábus
/ Contact Open Field Pictures, AQS a.s., Bioscop (Magicbox a.s.)
/ Distributor Bioscop (Magicbox a.s.)
www: www.orodicichadetech.com
Vladimír Michálek (b. 1956, Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic) is one of the Czech Republic’s most highly regarded filmmakers from the middle generation. He studied documentary film at Prague’s FAMU and subsequently established a niche as a documentarist. He debuted in 1994 with a stylish adaptation of Kafka’s novel America. He then made the psychological drama Forgotten Light (1996 – Best Actor for Boleslav Polívka, Audience Prize and Ecumenical Jury Award at the KVIFF 1997, Best Direction at the Newport IFF). He was also highly acclaimed for his drama set in a Moravian village during the German occupation Sekal Has to Die (1998 – Best Actor for Olaf Lubaszenko and the Ecumenical Jury Award at the KVIFF 1998, nine Czech Lion awards including Best Film and Best Direction). His segment from Prague Stories (1999) was followed by the drama Angel Exit (2000) and the tragicomedy Autumn Spring (2001).
Open Field Pictures
Máchova 431/21, 120 00, Praha 2
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 222 521 758
Fax: +420 222 521 758
E-mail: [email protected]
AQS a.s.
Na Klikovce 7/367, 140 00, Praha 4
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 221 436 100
E-mail: [email protected]
Bioscop (Magicbox a.s.)
Na Klikovce 7, 140 00, Praha 4
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 221 436 100
E-mail: [email protected]
Michal Smrek
Producer
Jan Dobrovský
Producer
Andrea Metcalfe
Distributor
Robert Schaffer
Distributor
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