A layered, absurdist family drama about the vicious circle of domestic violence in central Europe. All based on a fable about a chain of events that starts with a bloodthirsty wolf. The instinctually driven beast of prey is very akin to the aggressive father-in-law of Jaroslav, the anti-hero of this story. A timid ambulance driver, Jaroslav has a complex relationship with his wife, Blanka. She uses their three children as blackmail to get what she wants: his mother’s apartment.
Various versions of the way Jaroslav attempts to save his marriage are ingeniously told and unfold as a video-game narrative. Roles and power dynamics are reversed, always culminating in a lot of blood and broken crockery. Other repeating elements include a falling jukebox, a choir of commenting women, like in a Greek tragedy, extensive cooking sessions, original metaphors and bizarre dialogue. The film was inspired by extensive research into violence in men’s and women’s prisons conducted by director Mira Fornay.
Film details
Productielanden
Czech Republic, Slovakia
Jaar
2019
Festivaleditie
IFFR 2020
Lengte
116'
Medium/Formaat
DCP
Taal
Czech
Première status
None
Director
Mira Fornay
Producer
Mira Fornay, Viktor Schwarcz
Screenplay
Mira Fornay
Cinematography
Tomáš Sysel
Editing
Mira Fornay
Sound design
Dominik Dolejší
Principal cast
Irena Bendova, Jaroslav Plesl, Petra Fornayová, Regina Rázlová, Jan Alexander, Jazmína Cigánková, Roman Lipka