Out of the Past / Ecce homo Homolka / Czechoslovakia 1969
Who could forget the heartrending yet also sarcastic cinematic finale involving two dancing couples, whose gestures and expressions essentially elicit a duel being fought between irreconcilable parties. Here we have Heduš and her mother-in-law coercing their husbands into dancing round a cramped living room at the end of a disastrous Sunday. Of the celebrated Forman-Passer-Papoušek trio the one with the keenest sense of satire, the director essentially preserves the unities of action, place, and time; a single day is sufficient for him to wryly demonstrate to what extent destructive behavioural stereotypes and hostile interaction are the product of base materialism. The young twins, in their unruliness hinting variously at the mood within the family, are played with a child’s spontaneity by the Forman brothers.
Zdena Škapová
83 min / Black & white, DCP
Director Jaroslav Papoušek
/ Screenplay Jaroslav Papoušek
/ Dir. of Photography Josef Ort-Šnep
/ Music Karel Mareš
/ Sound Adolf Böhm
/ Editor Jiřina Lukešová
/ Art Director Rudolf Hájek
/ Production Filmové studio Barrandov
/ Cast Josef Šebánek, Marie Motlová, František Husák, Helena Růžičková, Petr a Matěj Formanovi
/ Sales Národní filmový archiv
Jaroslav Papoušek (1929–1995). Selected filmography: co-screenwriter: Black Peter (1963), Loves of a Blonde (1965), Intimate Lighting (1965). Screenwriter and director: The Most Beautiful Age (1968), Ecce Homo Homolka (1969).
Národní filmový archiv
Závišova 5, 140 00, Praha 4
Czech Republic
E-mail: [email protected]
First-hand brews throughout the year.
Be among the first to learn about upcoming events and other news. We only send the newsletter when we have something to say.
