Film Archive

The Snake Brothers

Official Selection - Competition 2015 / Kobry a užovky / Czech Republic 2015

This uncompromising drama tells the story of two brothers who answer to the nicknames Viper and Cobra, each dealing in his own way with the bleakness, lack of funds, and the alcohol-filled evenings repeated ad nauseam in their small Central Bohemian town. Brothers Matěj and Kryštof Hádek excel in one of the must-see domestic films of the year.

Synopsis

The words “Bro, we’ll figure it out!” – often spoken by brothers answering to the nicknames Cobra and Viper – aptly characterize their relationship. Viper is older and wiser, but that’s not to say he never builds up a bar tab or enjoys a good brawl now and then. Then there’s the younger, more wayward sibling Viper takes care of, although it’s hard to tell whether or not he deserves it. A skilled burglar of weekend cottages, a junkie, and a charismatic con man – Cobra is all that and more. Each of the brothers deals in his own way with the desolation of living in a small town. Viper, however, isn’t about to give up. A perfect job arranged by a former schoolmate holds the promise of a brighter tomorrow, and something good has to come out of it for Cobra as well. His bro has always taken care of him. After all, things should work out for everyone, whether that means buying a new car or finding pocket change to play slots. The Snake Brothers is an uncompromising drama, authentic, yet supremely cinematic. Brothers Matěj and Kryštof Hádek excel in one of the must-see domestic films of the year.

Anna Kořínek

About the film

111 min / Color, DCP
International premiere
Director Jan Prušinovský / Screenplay Jaroslav Žváček / Dir. of Photography Petr Koblovský / Editor Lukáš Opatrný / Art Director Jan Novotný / Producer Ondřej Zima, Jan Prušinovský / Production OFFSIDE MEN / Coproduction Česká televize, RWE / Cast Matěj Hádek, Kryštof Hádek, Jan Hájek, Lucie Polišenská, Lucie Žáčková, Jana Šulcová / Sales Media Luna New Films UG / Distributor Falcon a.s.

About the director

Jan Prušinovský (b. 1979, Hořovice, Czechoslovakia) is a screenwriter and director. His school film Bubble Bath Is the Best (2005) brought him several awards and a reputation as a promising Czech filmmaker. He finished up studies at Prague’s Film Academy (FAMU) in his third year with the screenplay for Frankie Is a Womanizer, which became his feature debut in 2008. He then shot “District League” (2009), a comedy series for TV Nova. He closely cooperated on the TV series “Private Traps” (2008) and “Innocent Lies” (2013), contributing an episode script to each series. In 2012 he directed a prequel to “District League” entitled Sunday League: Pepik Hnátek’s Final Match starring Miroslav Krobot. Collaborating with Krobot and Petr Kolečko, he put together the writer-director comedy series “Fourth Star” (2014) for Czech Television.