Archive of films Vaterland A Hunting Logbook / Vaterland - lovecký deník

Czech Republic
2004, 94 min

Section: Czech Films 2004-2005
Year: 2005

This surrealistic charade features the thrilling story of a hunt for mysterious skeletons, as well as an ambiguous contemplation of history and of the mysticism within the central European cultural milieu.

Synopsis

Descendants of the noble Czadsky family return to their homeland years after being expelled by the former totalitarian regime. Brothers Richard and Vilém, their wives, and their cousins Max and Leo find the devoted major-domo Willmer still at their dilapidated family residence. He has been taking care of their ancestors’ memories and keepsakes and, especially, of their grandfather’s treasured diary. It contains instructions for hunting the mysterious beings inhabiting the local hills. After discovering some old-time hunting gear there is nothing to stop the men from taking Willmer’s son Karel and two local guides on an exciting hunt. But who is actually
hunting whom? “I wanted to shoot a film using a somewhat unusual image, that would relate my feelings about today’s conflicted times,” states director David Jařab about his mysteriously ambiguous debut film.

About the director

David Jařab (b. 1971) is best known in the theatre. The writing and direction of his feature film debut betray his experience with various cultural media, and his affinity for a surrealist view of the world. He graduated in theatre direction from Brno?s Janáček Theatre Academy (JAMU) in 1994. In 1993-98 he directed for HaDivadlo Theatre in Brno, where he was a collective management member and artistic director as well. Since 2002 he has been artistic director for Prague?s Comedy Theatre. He is the author or co-author of a number of theatre plays, which he has also generally directed. In 1989 he became a member of the A. I. V. surrealist circle in Brno, and since the mid-nineties he has been a member of the Czech and Slovak Surrealist Group. He has most often published in Analogon review. He is an artist as well, and he has written a cycle of contemporary plays entitled Sharpshooters. Since 1998 he has cooperated on the cycle Analogon Evenings, which he developed into a four-part series for Czech television.

Contacts

Cineart TV Prague s.r.o.
Jankovcova 8D, 170 00, Praha 7
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 777 220 364
E-mail: [email protected]

Filmexport Prague Distribution s.r.o.
Pravá 19/245, 147 00, Praha 4
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 241 433 422
Fax: +420 241 433 422
E-mail: [email protected]

Bontonfilm, a.s.
Na Poříčí 1047/26, 110 00, Praha 1
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 257 415 111
Fax: +420 257 415 113
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.bontonfilm.cz

About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	Czech Films 2004-2005

Director:	David Jařab
Screenplay:	David Jařab
Dir. of Photography:	Marek Jícha
Music:	Petr Haas, Jan Ponocný, Roman Zach
Editor:	Jan Daňhel
Producer:	Viktor Schwarcz
Production:	Cineart Tv Prague koprodukce/co-production UPP Praha, Česká televize, Ateliéry Bonton Zlín
Cast:	Karel Roden, Petr Forman, František Řehák
Contact:	Cineart TV Prague s.r.o., Filmexport Prague Distribution s.r.o., Bontonfilm, a.s.

www:	www.vaterland.cz

Guests

Marek Daniel

Actor

Marek Jícha

Director of Photography