Czech DVDs

[petoluk]

The 2nd half of the Slovak Cinema of the 60's DVD edition will contain:

• * Skalni v ofsajde (1960, Jan Lacko, 84 min.)
  * Kym sa skonci tato noc (1965, Peter Solan, 91 min.)
  * Zvony pre bosych (1965, Stanislav Barabas, 96 min.)
  * Serif za mrezami (1965, Dimitrij Plichta, 101 min.)
  * Panna zazracnica (1966, Stefan Uher, 100 min.)
  * Zivy bic (1966, Martin Tapak, 89 min.)
  * Majster kat (1966, Palo Bielik, 105 min.)
  * Tri dcery (1967, Stefan Uher, 94 min.)
  * Zmluva s diablom (1967, Jozef Zachar, 95 min.)
  * Vtackovia, siroty a blazni (1969, Juraj Jakubisko, 82 min.)

Cheers!
Peto

EDIT: Never got to posting the link to #6 from the 1st half of the edition - Drak sa vracia / Dragon's Return...

[Skritek]

Interesting, I had hoped for more/different Jakubisko, as well as Uher's Genius (possibly even more from Solan).
I've seen Majster Kat and for me the film is rather mediocre. Nowhere near the originality of the other films. Good to see a Zachar film being released, I wonder how his style is.
I'm not sure now, is this the last time Slovak 60s films will be released, or will this happen in 2010 also?

[sidehacker]

Two more from Uher! Great news. Can anyone (such as MichaelB) say anything about the other films?

[skuhn8]

(03) Slnko v sieti / The Sun in a Net...

Cheers!
Peto

Received the ten-disc set yesterday and watched this one immediately. A real stunner: great film with excellent presentation. I can't wait to delve deeper into this set. As far as I can tell I would agree that this thread should be Czech & Slovak DVDs

[sidehacker]

Where can you order the complete set? I've only been able to find individual films from the boxset on gorila.sk.

[skuhn8]

Where can you order the complete set? I've only been able to find individual films from the boxset on gorila.sk.

Perhaps it isn't available in a complete set. I got all ten from petoluk in trade.

Just watched The first part of Janosik today followed by The Song of the Grey Pigeon. Too bad Janosik isn't anamorphic as this playing out as an impressive vistavision-like epic. The latter is one of the most poignant and often surreal depictions of civilian life during WWII. Some breathtaking shots and vignettes dominated by child actors that seem to effortlessly flirt but avoid being overly precious. Stunning. Essential collection.

[Skritek]

I'm also not aware that this was released as a boxset. Just order them all separately, but NOT from gorila.sk. I got mine eventually, at least some, but it has been quite a hassle. Rather try DVDBest.
Song of the Grey Pigeon was very nice, I especially liked the episode with the Russian girl. However overall it was a little disjointed, which didn't really seem to be what the director intended.

[skuhn8]

Re: Song of the Grey Pigeon. Apparently the screenplay was written as 6 episodes, so I believe the disjointedness was intentional to at least some extent. Yes, that 'departure shot' of the girl episode is quite breathtaking. If you look at the photo section there is a curious picture that is not actually in the movie involving rutko (the lead boy) and Natasha. Check it out.

For those curious about extras: they are subbed/translated. The Newsreel feature with each film is apparently an example of what they were showing at the cinema before the feature. Nice propaganda pieces. The text items on the disc itself also provide ample background on cast and film.

[petoluk]

Two more from Uher! Great news. Can anyone (such as MichaelB) say anything about the other films?

Here's what the Slovak Movie Database says about them:

* Skalni v ofsajde (1960, Jan Lacko, 84 min.)

Soccer Fans
A comedy about sport and the uncritical sports-fans and hooligans around the playgrounds and stadiums.

* Kym sa skonci tato noc (1965, Peter Solan, 91 min.)

Before Tonight Is Over
A film examining the feelings of different people spending the night in a fancy night club. It is a story of two young administrative workers saving their money throughout the year to spend a few carefree days; two plumbers seeking erotic pleasure; a construction-site manager embezzling the wages of all his team; an unacknowledged inventor and a former major of the British Army who becomes alcohol-addict due to the political oppression of the post-war period.

* Zvony pre bosych (1965, Stanislav Barabas, 96 min.)

The Bells Toll For The Barefooted
A drama from the end of WW II.Two partisans are returning to their group after a fight, bringing with them a young German soldier. Thus in the middle of deserted woods enemies walk side by side. While the partisans are obviously unable to get in contact with their unit, their German hostage is losing hope for survival.

* Serif za mrezami (1965, Dimitrij Plichta, 101 min.)

The Sheriff Behind Bars
This drama is set in a reformatory for young offenders. Jakub lets himself be arrested and put to jail instead of the ”sheriff” of their gang. Jakub pretends being guilty out of false solidarity hoping the ”sheriff” will appreciate his gesture. This belief only gives him the strength to stand the unbearable conditions in the reform institution.

* Panna zazracnica (1966, Stefan Uher, 100 min.)

The Wonder - Maid
The film renders the life of a young generation of artists formed during the middle of the war. Anabella - a beautiful young girl meets the company of friends and becomes the object of their dreams and desires. The artists, charmed by the magic about her do not notice her sadness which leads her to a tragic end.

* Zivy bic (1966, Martin Tapak, 89 min.)

The Living Scourge
A film-ballad about the dramatic lives of people living in a village in the Orava region during WW I, mainly the story of Eva Hlavajová, a young woman who, after her husband had to join the army, lives by herself in the times of hunger and poverty. Her hard life ends up in a tragic death which is one of the reasons for the revolt of the people against the unbearable conditions in the village.

* Majster kat (1966, Palo Bielik, 105 min.)

Master Executioner
The historical drama is set in the wide territory along the Danube. The friendship of fisherman Richardus and the town executioner Emil Targa is changed into hatred because of their love for the same woman and Emil´s dishonesty and betrayal.

* Tri dcery (1967, Stefan Uher, 94 min.)

Three Doughters
An old folk ballad actualization about a father and his three daughters. After losing all of his possessions old Majda seeks shelter at his three daughters whom he had sent to cloister long ago to avoid the dividing of his property. Only his youngest daughter, although abandoned by her sisters herself, is willing to take care of him.

* Zmluva s diablom (1967, Jozef Zachar, 95 min.)

A Pact With The Devil
A comedy about five girls in their last year at high-school. Because of a silly and malicious joke they are thought to have taken a private vow as to lose their innocence, so that by the time of graduation neither of them would still be a virgin. They are denying this nonsense, but because no one seems to believe them, finally they decide to do what they are suspected of.

* Vtackovia, siroty a blazni (1969, Juraj Jakubisko, 82 min.)

Birdies, Orphans And Fools
This mosaic-like frolicsome parable takes place in an indefinite dimension of space and time, in a foolish universe without ideals - a world of violence, cynicism and hopelessness. Its living illustrative examples are the three lonesome lunatics who survive in this insane and ugly world only thanks to their craziness, philosophy of playfulness and joy and the enjoying present moment. They live, play, love and hate all together.

Cheers!
Peto

[jbeall]

Okay, time for some advice: a friend of mine is going to Slovakia for two weeks, and I'm giving him the money to buy two Slovak dvds (I'd love to get more, but money's tight). For those who've seen a few, if you had to pick TWO desert-island Slovak dvds that have English subs, what would they be?

[skuhn8]

Okay, time for some advice: a friend of mine is going to Slovakia for two weeks, and I'm giving him the money to buy two Slovak dvds (I'd love to get more, but money's tight). For those who've seen a few, if you had to pick TWO desert-island Slovak dvds that have English subs, what would they be?

For less than the price of two lower tier CCs you can get the first 10 dvds of the slovak film collection mentioned earlier. They're about 3 1/2 Euros each and can be purchased individually. Not sure how prevelant they are in stores. Here is a link for Song of the Grey Pigeon from the series. Near the top of the review there are links to most of the other titles in the series.

Also the Czech edition of The Cremator is considerably sharper than Second Run's (sorry Bikey). Great rollover comparison feature on here by the way.

[Skritek]

Unfortunately this year has been rather meager when it comes to interesting releases in the Czech Republic. Mostly average Czech comedies from the 70s and 80s, the most interesting being probably Dábelské líbánky, mainly because the scenario is co-written by Jana Brejchová and Vlastimil Brodský, the two stars of the film and legends of Czech cinema and this is the only time they ever were involved in a script. (The DVD however does not feature English subtitles.)
Soon however Kazdy mlady muz will come out, a film by Pavel Juracek about the military, which he shot while still serving in the army. It's a collection of stories and seemingly goes into the absurdist Kafkaesque direction like Josef Kilian/Postava k podpirani. I'm certainly looking forward to it, but this also should be without subs.

Also worth taking notice (for Second Run or so) is the upcoming release of Clovek proti zkáze (Skalsky, Pleskot 1989) recounting the last years of Karel Capek with great performances by the main actors and (from the few clips I've seen) a nice atmosphere. To not forget Smutecni Slavnost (Sirovy, 1969) is also scheduled for release in April. The film, released only after the Velvet Revolution, is a very open criticism of socialism and especially of the (Czech) people and their loss of integrity. While to me it felt almost like a dirge in cinematic form at times, its almost documentary like depiction of the going-ons in a small town were probably the most open criticism ever in Czech film history. Many great films hinted (sometimes very explicitly) at the problems and consequences of socialism, but rarely if ever was it this straight forward. The bleak, austere film language has been compared to northern filmmaking and as such lacks humanism to be found in Menzels or Jasnys work. This is a film (like the above mentioned one by Juracek) that the great publishing companies should really be on the lookout for to bring to the not English speaking audience. (Here is an entry I made on the film in my humble one time film journal.)

However, Filmexport are again producing interesting DVDs. O vecech nadprirozených (Krejcik, Mach, Makovec 1958) is a collection of three stories based Capek, probably more classical in it's inscenation than your typical films from the 60s. More interestingly Touha (Vojtech Jasny, 1958) will also get a subtitled (or has already) release. The film, by the man who gave us the great When the Cat Comes and the even greater All My Good Countrymen , is segmented into 4 stories each taking place at a different season. Using these the director looks at different parts of a human life. The film is a poem dedicated to the countryside and human simpleness. I've read charges of naivete, but as long as the poetics of the director are present, I'm sure it's worthwhile. The film was nominated for the Palm at Cannes and even won a prize there.

Other than that Bonton is also releasing classic Czech detective films (again no subs , I really don't understand Bonton, they should just look at Slovakia...that's the way how to treat one's own cultural/filmic heritage). The most interesting ones seem to be made by Petr Schulhoff and feature the great Rudolf Hrusinsky as an investigator. Reportedly they are nicely atmospheric, I however have yet to watch a Czech crime film. (I've only seen some series...or rather episodes.)

And a natural thanks to the guy who runs Zona for keeping the world updated with regards to DVDs being released in the Czech lands (and even Slovakia).

[MichaelB]

I keep meaning to delve further into the Filmexport catalogue, as I've been very impressed with the discs I've seen to date (which I think invariably have English subtitles on the main feature at least), but my central European kevyip is so massive that I can't even begin to think of taking anything else on!

(I'm hoping to clear a massive Polish and Hungarian backlog over the next few months, then I'll have a go at augmenting my Czech collection.)

Incidentally, talking of Filmexport, anyone in London who's at a loose end tomorrow could probably do a lot worse than go to see Gustav Machaty's Erotikon at the Barbican, with the same excellent Jan Klusák score that's on their DVD but played live. Anyone who does will earn my undying jealousy, of course, but I suspect that's a small price to pay.

And Vojtech Jasny was one of the contributors to BBC2's excellent The Lost World of Communism series, which ends tonight, but which is coming out on DVD in mid-April. Very strongly recommended, not least for the rare footage - in fact, I'm sorry it's only a three-parter, as I was hoping for episodes on Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia after the East German, Czechoslovakia and Romanian ones. (Maybe if the BBC sells enough copies they'll do a sequel?)

[Skritek]

(I'm hoping to clear a massive Polish and Hungarian backlog over the next few months, then I'll have a go at augmenting my Czech collection.)

Are there any special new releases with regards to Hungary? The PWA topic is very active, so I know about the Polish releases (even though I'm still not sure which of the films would appeal to me the most, like Rejs which was interesting, good and fun, but hardly has any poetic qualities, like say Szindbád or Double Vie de Véronique), less so about Hungarian.

[skuhn8]

(I'm hoping to clear a massive Polish and Hungarian backlog over the next few months, then I'll have a go at augmenting my Czech collection.)

Are there any special new releases with regards to Hungary?

No.

[Perkins Cobb]

Jasny's Touha is indeed marvelous.

[Perkins Cobb]

The 2nd half of the Slovak Cinema of the 60's DVD edition will contain:

• * Skalni v ofsajde (1960, Jan Lacko, 84 min.)
  * Kym sa skonci tato noc (1965, Peter Solan, 91 min.)
  * Zvony pre bosych (1965, Stanislav Barabas, 96 min.)
  * Serif za mrezami (1965, Dimitrij Plichta, 101 min.)
  * Panna zazracnica (1966, Stefan Uher, 100 min.)
  * Zivy bic (1966, Martin Tapak, 89 min.)
  * Majster kat (1966, Palo Bielik, 105 min.)
  * Tri dcery (1967, Stefan Uher, 94 min.)
  * Zmluva s diablom (1967, Jozef Zachar, 95 min.)
  * Vtackovia, siroty a blazni (1969, Juraj Jakubisko, 82 min.)

Anyone know when these will be released?

[Skritek]

If I remember correctly they usually start around September/October. And I still hope there will be a third year of releases.

[jbeall]

And Vojtech Jasny was one of the contributors to BBC2's excellent The Lost World of Communism series, which ends tonight, but which is coming out on DVD in mid-April. Very strongly recommended, not least for the rare footage - in fact, I'm sorry it's only a three-parter, as I was hoping for episodes on Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia after the East German, Czechoslovakia and Romanian ones. (Maybe if the BBC sells enough copies they'll do a sequel?)

Based on MichaelB's recommendation, I ordered this dvd, and it's worth it for the footage alone. The episodes feel a little compressed to me (they call Czechoslovakia the "land of forgetting," but aside from the blacklisted pop-star, the episode doesn't pursue it further. I assume they got the reference from Kundera, but if you're going to use the phrase for the episode's title, it would make sense to structure the episode more around that theme, but the content of the episode is mostly about reminiscence.) I was especially struck by the blatant attempts to intimidate Vaclav Havel, with the not-so-secret police building a shed in his backyard and following him around when he walked his dog! No forgetting there!

Incidentally, I suppose Jasný's All My Good Countrymen is an attempt at atonement, no?

Anyway, this is a good disc to have, and it's very interesting for cinephiles since it features footage from home movies, propaganda films, and extremely low-budget dissident films plus interviews with the directors and stars. "Lemonade Joe" even talks about his experiences!

[Skritek]

Great news!!! Obrazy stareho sveta by Dusan Hanak has gotten a re-release in Slovakia. Not only is the print of (supposedly) excellent quality, miles beyond the last, but the extras are also more copious. On the old disc, there was only the short Prisiel k nam Old Shatterhand, now Artisti, Ucenie , Omsa and Den radosti are additionally added. I think I have to get this one some day. It's not yet for sale with any retailer though. However the same directors Papierove hlavy still are, and this DVD has only been released in Slovakia (most of the others are also for sale in the Czech Republic).

In the Czech Republic some new films will also appear. In September the conformist and socialist comedy Parta hic will appear, this I guess is only of interest as it is directed by Hynek Bocan, who made some excellent and critical films in the 60s. Nejkrasnejsi vek will also be released, it was as of now unavailable. The film is the debut of Jaroslav Papousek (most famous for Ecce Homo Homolka), who mostly worked together with Forman and Passer as a writer (if I'm not mistaken) and it shows in his own films. I assume even in this debut.

These are Bonton releases, so I assume there will unfortunately be no English subtitles, but maybe Second Run might be interested. The same goes for [August releases] Lidé z maringotek, a classic story about hypocrisy and love set in the surroundings of a circus troupe and directed by Martin Fric, one of the big classics of Czech cinema. The film itself is nice enough, but nothing special to my eyes. Just regular, but well made commercial cinema, as one has become accustomed to by this director. Another standard late comedy by Vorlicek will also be released. (Too many of his mediocre comedies have been released this year, hope they'll dig up more interesting cinema in 2010.) Among the releases of newer films, there is Kdopak by se vlka bál. A rendering of the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but judging for the reviews it was one of last years best Czech films. I'm sure to watch it some day.


This month already Filmexport have released Reka by Josef Rovenský, which should have subtitles. The film is counted among the great Czech classics of the poetic kind. MichaelB will probably be able to tell you more. The company also released more classics, including Diva Bara (by Vladimir Cech), Prijdu hned (Otakar Vavra), Falesna kocicka (Vladimír Slavínský) and Robinsonka (Jaromir Pleskot). The first of these is probably the most interesting, as I remember reading about it somewhere already.

[L.A.]

Bílá nemoc / The White Disease (1937)

Here's the DVD.

Has anyone seen this one?

[Perkins Cobb]

The 2nd half of the Slovak Cinema of the 60's DVD edition will contain:

• * Skalni v ofsajde (1960, Jan Lacko, 84 min.)
  * Kym sa skonci tato noc (1965, Peter Solan, 91 min.)
  * Zvony pre bosych (1965, Stanislav Barabas, 96 min.)
  * Serif za mrezami (1965, Dimitrij Plichta, 101 min.)
  * Panna zazracnica (1966, Stefan Uher, 100 min.)
  * Zivy bic (1966, Martin Tapak, 89 min.)
  * Majster kat (1966, Palo Bielik, 105 min.)
  * Tri dcery (1967, Stefan Uher, 94 min.)
  * Zmluva s diablom (1967, Jozef Zachar, 95 min.)
  * Vtackovia, siroty a blazni (1969, Juraj Jakubisko, 82 min.)

FYI, these are all listed on Dvdbest.sk now, with the first one apparently available already, and the rest releasing weekly between now and the end of November. The covers look just as enticing as last year's (which I still haven't finished watching, of course).

[petoluk]

Slovak Cinema of the 60's - II; reviews of the first 4 discs:

(01) Skalni v ofsajde / Soccer Fans
(02) Kym sa skonci tato noc / Before Tonight Is Over
(03) Serif za mrezami / The Sheriff Behind Bars
(04) Zvony pre bosych / The Bells Toll for the Barefooted

Cheers!
Peto

[petoluk]

(05) Majster kat / Master Executioner

Cheers!
Peto