Wild Flowers

Colour, 35mm
Czech Republic, 2000, 85 min
Section: Czech Films

Synopsis

The film presents seven thrilling stories about desire, obsession and selfishness. . . . The story was inspired by The Wild Flowers, a ballad collection written by 19th-century Czech poet Karel Jaromír Erben, whose work provides a parallel to the passionate and spectre-filled poetry of Edgar Allen Poe. First published in 1853, the poems are considered essential reading among Czech classics. Co-writer, cameraman and director F. A. Brabec’s work draws on his inventive artistic stylisation which accentuates the refinement of his pictorial vision. In addition to lush visual aspects, the music of Jan Jirásek serves as another important element in this filmed ‘poem about poem.’ The film was nominated for seven Czech Lions including Best Film, and was awarded for cinematography, music and sound (Jiří Klenka). Deana Jakubisková-Horváthová, a successful actress married to top Slovak director Juraj Jakubisko, produced the film and co-wrote the script (with Miloš Macourek). Jakubisko´s poster for the film was awarded as the best in 2000. The Wild Flowers is one of the most successful Czech films of recent years.

About the director

F. A. Brabec (b. 1954) graduated from Prague’s Film Academy (FAMU) in 1981 as a film and television cameraman, and has been behind the lens for, among others: Time of the Servants (1989), Freelance (1989), The Cottage (1990), Elementary School (1991), Corpus Delecti (1992), Accumulator 1 (1994), The Ride (1994 – Czech Lion for Best Cinematography). In 1996 Brabec made his directing debut with King Ubu, a film nominated for seven Czech Lions, three of which it captured (including one for his camerawork). He also earned a Czech Lion for Best Cinematography for The Wild Flowers (2000). In addition to feature films, Brabec has shot numerous commercials and successful music videos (e.g. “Ave Maria” was awarded Best Music Video at the 1996 Czech Music Awards).