Grandhotel

Colour, 35 mm
Czech Republic, 2006, 95 min
Section: Czech Films 2006-2007

Synopsis

At the top of Ještěd mountain above Liberec the weather changes every minute, while 30-year-old oddball Fleischman, who works as a maintenance man for the local hotel, also maintains his own opinions, whatever the weather. He shuts himself off in his own little world, where it seems the only thing which interests him is meteorology. In reality, he is desperate to leave the confines of his native town. Then the timid new chambermaid Ilja unexpectedly enters his life, who has passively succumbed to the whims of her ambitious lover, the waiter Patka, for too long. Boss Jégr and the old Sudeten German Franz also play an important role in Fleischman’s life… The screenplay for David Ondříček’s tragicomedy was penned in association with writer Jaroslav Rudiš, who wrote the novel of the same name. The film, making use of the unique atmosphere of the futuristic hotel on Ještěd, was nominated for seven Czech Lion awards and took away two statuettes (for music – Jan P. Muchow, and sound – Pavel Rejholec, Jakub Čech). It was screened at this year’s Berlin IFF in the Panorama section, and also at the IFF in San Francisco.

About the director

David Ondříček (b. 1969, Prague) is the son of cinematographer Miroslav Ondříček, yet he, himself, was drawn to film direction. He studied documentary film at Prague’s FAMU (1993) and began in 1990 making a name for himself directing short films, including one about artist Theodor Pištěk (1991). In 1996 he debuted with a tragicomedy based on his own screenplay, Whisper. This was followed by the bitter-sweet comedy Loners (2000), which was nominated for ten Czech Lions and was acclaimed outside the country (e.g. FIPRESCI prize at the Mannheim IFF). Three years later he made the black comedy One Hand Can’t Clap (2003 – two Czech Lions for music and supporting actor). Last year he gained recognition for his film Grandhotel. He was also producer on the last three films mentioned, via his production company Lucky Man Films.