Cabriolet

Colour, 35mm
Czech Republic, 2001, 80 min
Section: Czech Films

Synopsis

Director Marcel Bystroň’s low-budget film debut is a simple love story shot on digital video. The film’s heroine, Pavla, though afflicted with a fatal hereditary disease and close to death, enters into a relationship with a young man named Tobiáš. Pavla wants to enjoy herself before she dies and she draws Tobiáš into a private world filled with memories of her father and even the young man’s elderly aunt. The world of Prague rock clubs and concerts becomes their refuge: Tobiáš is the drummer for Ivan Král’s band and Pavla feels at home as a rock fan. The couple – despite their relationship’s bleak future – try to live freely and intensely. In contrast to Pavla, Tobiáš refuses to accept her death sentence and tries to save her by organising a benefit rock concert to pay for a complicated operation which might increase her chances for survival. But all efforts are in vain. . . . In spite of this, however, the couple gain something far more essential.

About the director

Marcel Bystroň (b. 1968) is a writer and director who has up until now only worked for television, mainly on a number of entertainment programs. But has also shot documentary films and two fairy tales (one of which, Black-and-White Fairy Tale, 1997, had great popular success). Cabriolet (2001), produced by screenwriter and author Olga Dabrowská and Czech Television, is his feature film debut.