Archive of films Fateful Fortune / Osudové peníze

Czech Republic
2010, 110 min

Section: Czech Films 2010–2011
Year: 2011

Grammar school teacher Jiří is distracted from his solitude by an unexpected nocturnal visit from his sister Růžena. From his second sister Tylda, however, Jiří later discovers that Růžena has left her husband for an officer.... This elegant, sophisticated work by legendary Czech filmmaker Jiří Krejčík is appealing for its gentle humour but also for its empathy and affection towards its characters. The film was loosely based on a story by Karel Čapek.

Synopsis

Grammar school teacher Jiří is distracted from his solitude and dull routine by an unexpected nocturnal visit from his beloved younger sister, Růžena, a former seamstress. She tells her brother that she has run away from her husband Fanda, a textile trader, as she can no longer stand his avarice and vulgarity. From his other sister, Tylda, however, Jiří later discovers that Růžena has been spending a lot of money and has left her husband for a captain of the dragoons. Růžena finds out that she is pregnant, but the captain jilts her on account of his forthcoming marriage. Disillusioned, she thinks her lies have turned her brother against her and she resolves to take desperate measures.... This elegant, sophisticated work by legendary Czech filmmaker Jiří Krejčík is appealing for its gentle humour but also for the empathy and affection it shows its characters. The ill-fated Růžena, in particular, is placed at the very heart of the film’s fragile spiritual composition. This picture was loosely based on Karel Čapek’s tale "Money” from the collection Money and Other Stories (1921).

About the director

Jiří Krejčík (b. 1918, Prague) was forced by the Nazi occupation to abandon his studies at Prague’s Technical University. He began his career producing commercials and short films. For his directorial debut Jan Neruda’s, A Week in the House of Silence (1947). His film oeuvre, incorporating diverse themes and genres, includes both drama and psychological stories (e.g. Conscience, 1948, Mrs Dulská’s Morals, 1958), and comedies with unconventional heroes (e.g. The Shotgun Wedding and Boarding House for Bachelors, both 1967). He frequently returned to the theme of Nazism (e.g. The Higher Principle, 1960, Midnight Mass, 1962), and his films from the totalitarian era sought to probe his audiences’ moral sentiments (e.g. the drama Divine Emma, 1979). His career has also included stage and TV direction. The KVIFF honoured him with the Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema in 2005.

Contacts

Czech Television - Telexport
Kavčí hory, 140 70, Praha 4
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 261 137 047
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.ceskatelevize.cz

Czech Television, Festival Department
Kavčí Hory, 140 70, Praha 4
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 261 137 438; +420 261 137 106
Fax: +420 261 211 354
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
www: www.ceskatelevize.cz

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About the film

Color, HD CAM
International premiere

Section:	Czech Films 2010–2011

Director:
Screenplay:	Jiří Krejčík, Vlasta Krejčíková podle povídky Karla Čapka / based on the story by Karel Čapek
Dir. of Photography:	Juraj Fándli, Jiří Macháně
Music:	Jan Jirásek
Editor:	Alois Fišárek
Producer:	Jaroslav Kučera
Production:	Česká televize / Czech Television
Cast:	Gabriela Marcinková, Jan Budař, Marián Labuda ml., Jindřich Nováček, Zdena Herfortová, Stanislav Zindulka, Ladislav Županič, Kateřina Winterová, Barbara Lukešová
Contact:	Czech Television - Telexport, Czech Television, Festival Department

www:	www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10245434647-osudove-penize/20951212081/

Guests

Gabriela Marcínková

Actress