Ziletky (1994)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Zdenek Tyc

Writer:

Zdenek Tyc (writer)

Release Date:

1994 (Czech Republic)

Tagline:

O verne lasce az za hrob (About faithful love beyond the grave)

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Filip Topol	...	Andrej Chadima
Markéta Hrubesová	...	Kristýna
Iva Janzurová	...	Chadimova (Marta?)
Tomás Hanák	...	Míra
Barbora Lukesová	...	Eva
Vera Kubankova	...	Granny
Jozef Topol	...	Father
Petr Lébl	...	Angel
Tereza Pergnerova	...	Nurse
Václav Legner
Zdenek Vencl
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Miroslav Chorvat	...	Caretaker (as Miro Chorvát)
Gabriela Hyrmanová	...	Nurse
Jan Kehár	...	Patient
Jiri Kraus	...	Fireman
Tomas Liska

Also Known As:

Blades
Razor Blades
Razors

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

Czech Republic | France

Language:

Czech

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Filming Locations:

Kutná Hora, okres Kutná Hora, Stredoceský, Czech Republic

Company:

Ajeto Film

Rich in color and mood, but empty

The film's title (translated as Blades) refers to the painful experiences the sensitive (over- sensitive I would say) hero goes through on the way to normal life and his loved one. Two main motives here are the army training and the hollowness of eighties Czechoslovakia. Given the music by Psi vojaci and respectful cast, it seems quite promising. The problem is that Tyc tries too hard not to be simplistic in terms of narrative and visuals, so the film is a mess. Not much of what's happening makes sense, since the characters are incredibly shallow and their motivation unclear. Characterisation of the hero ends with various illustrations of his sensitivity and confusion, but as he doesn't in fact do anything in the film (expext from climbing on a large chimney in order to be placed in mental hospital), it is impossible to identify with him or even feel any sympathy (if you're not a Topol fan, that is). Dialogues are minimal and make little sense as well.

Visually the film is quite imaginative and has certain melancholy mood, if forced at times. But Tyc gives far more attention to the arty looks and forgets there should be something going on. Since it relies on metaphores and long shots of the heroe's face more than actual observations or statements, it asks for being condemned as pretentious trash, not helping the viewer to understand or make him care.