Published: July 05, 2015| 07:00 PM

Today, attendees of the Karlovy Vary film festival can see the world premiere of the first Czech film in the Official Selection competition. Director Slávek Horák’s debut Home Care tells the story of Vlasta, a nurse who, after a life of sacrificing herself for her family and patients, needs some help of her own due to a serious diagnosis. “Vlasta’s character is derived from my mother. Although she is thankfully not fighting a serious illness, she represents the type of middle-aged woman who does everything for others and pays no attention to herself,” Horák explained in a press conference.

The director also made it clear why he chose such a grim topic for his film despite his relatively young age: “When, on my birthday, everyone started to wish me a happy birthday and many more, the theme of the end of life somehow came to mind quite naturally.” Although the film deals with a serious topic, it does have a distinct comedic aspect, which it draws from its setting in the vineyards of Moravia.

The lead actress, Alena Mihulová, cannot resist comparison to the selfless Vlasta. During the press conference, though, she remarked that, although she finds her character extremely sympathetic and dear to her, she herself is somewhat different. “My mother always told my husband Karel Kachyňa: That daughter of mine, she’s a very nice girl, but such a bitch.”

Screenings of Home Care:
5.7. 20:00 Grand Hall
6.7. 16:00 Pupp
9.7. 09:00 Drahomíra Cinema