Marriage Stories and Marriage Stories 20 Years Later (Zuzana and Stanislav)

Colour, DIGIBETA
Czech Republic, 1987, 2006, 92 min
Section: 20 Years of Freedom

Synopsis

During the period 1981–2005, documentarist Helena Třeštíková followed the progress of couples who said their "I dos” at the beginning of the 1980s and, over the subsequent two decades, had to confront their dreams and ideals with a society in transformation. This is the case of Zuzana and Stanislav: they got married very young because they had a child on the way, however, it soon became apparent that not even the birth of little Honzík would help form a bond between these two very different people. The marriage managed to last thirteen years and produced another child, their daughter Zuzana. Today the children, now grown up, are determined not to make the same mistakes as their parents. For the film’s director, the story of Zuzana and Stanislav reflects two contrasting life concepts: go-ahead Stanislav is gradually becoming a contemplative middle-aged man who is continually trying to improve himself and now enjoys a closer relationship with his children. Zuzana, whom motherhood prevented from making her own way in life, remains passive and is having difficulties finding a new partner.

About the director

Helena Třeštíková (b. 1949, Prague) is one of Europe’s most acclaimed documentary filmmakers. She studied direction at FAMU (1974) and, ever since her college film Viva Acqua (1972), has been developing her real-time documentaries, shot over several years. Her films examine interpersonal relationships within a broader social context. In 1990 she co-founded the Film & Sociology Foundation and, in 1994, the Man and Time Foundation. Select filmography: A Touch of Light (1979), If Something Needs Our Help – It’s Freedom (1990), Sweet Century (1998 – Best Documentary at the Karlovy Vary IFF), Women at the Turn of the Millennium (Trapped) (2001 – Special Mention at the KVIFF). Her film René (2008), part of the long-term cycle Tell Me Something about Yourself (begun in 1989), brought her international recognition (European Film Award 2008 for Best Documentary). Marriage Stories (1987–2006) is another of her projects which spans several years.