Source

Colour, DVD
Czech Republic, 2005, 77 min
Section: Czech Films 2004-2005
Oficiální stránky: www.automatfilm.cz

Synopsis

A driver stops at a gas station and pumps gas.... The first oil well in the world was drilled in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. The area surrounding the city is a wasteland. While the driver is buying a baguette, the films takes the viewer on a search for contexts. They say Hitler was in love with the old oil fields; what secrets are they hiding? Will the "Contract of the Century" and the huge pipeline save the country? Why are the nesting dolls of President Aliyev more expensive than those of Bin Laden? Everything is connected to everything else, and the price ends up being higher than it seemed at first. The driver sits behind the wheel and.... Martin Mareček´s film, co-written by Martin Skalský, is part of the Auto*Mat project, which is intended for all Praguers interested in the dismal traffic situation in their metropolis. Zdroj took the Audience Award and the Special Jury Prize at Prague´s One World Human Rights IFF.

About the director

Martin Mareček (b. 1974,  Prague) graduated in cultural studies from Charles University and documentary filmmaking from Prague´s Film Academy (FAMU), where he now teaches. Since 1992 he has worked on varied audiovisual project, serving as director, cameraman, actor and musician. He has participated in the organisation of a number of cultural-socio-ecological activities. Filmography: the short film Javor 98 (1998); Famu Fwest 1999:Kodak Vision Award for creative and visual contributuino, Stage Sweep for the TV miniseries "Up Close" (1999. co-dir. Vít Janeček), Egg Methods (Famu Fest 1999: Special Jury Prize), the feature length docum entary Dust Games (2001; Jihlava documentary IFF 2001: Main Jury Prize for Best Czech Documentary of the Year, My home... (2003).