(Všichni dobří rodáci')
Directed by Vojtěch Jasný
115 minutes
In Czech with English subtitles

This flick was an incredible labor of love—director Vojtěch Jasný worked four years on the script alone, and once he was done shooting, it was immediately "banned forever '' by the hard-line Czech government. It is easy to see why - it's about standing up against power, refusing to be intimidated by threats, and the darkness that swept the country as its dreams were smashed. But at the same time, this is a Czech New Wave flick, and that means despite hardships, there is always a sly sense of humor and a bittersweet edge running through all the events.

This is an autobiographical recounting of events that took place in a small village, interweaving the lives of its inhabitants, but also reflecting the changes in Czechoslovakia from 1948 to 1968. It focuses on the lives of a small group of friends, but as it progresses the entire story begins to hinge on the shoulders of one man, František, who refuses to be intimidated. Although it's a recounting of real experiences, the cinematography is incandescent... maybe even sublime. And what's more, those powerful images were crystallised by cinematographer Jaroslav Kučera on a minuscule budget—with no money and all craft. Here beauty is based on the eye of the artist, like a painter. A bold flick that was the winner of the Best Director award at Cannes in 1969, and today it is shamelessly forgotten.

This will be a high-definition projection.