Quote:
This film is an emotional collage about violations of human rights and about the relation between the power of a totalitarian system and its citizens. After the Second World War, The Soviet empire was extended into the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It had promised “paradise on earth,” but in practice it wiped out all elements of democracy, introduced a government of terror and destroyed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.Read More »
Slovak
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Dusan Hanák – Papierove hlavy AKA Paper Heads (1996)
Dusan Hanák1991-2000DocumentarySlovakia -
Martin Sulík – Záhrada AKA The Garden (1995)
1991-2000ArthouseComedyMartin SulíkSlovakiaJakub’s life arrived at a dead-end. He leaves his job, and gets into conflict with his father. The trouble just grows by his relation with a married woman. Breaking out, Jakub realizes the pleasures of the countryside in the old garden of his grandfather. He finds true love with an angel, and encounters various exciting moments of his new free life. Strange visitors arrive, and he wont get back to town anymore.Read More »
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Tereza Nvotová – Svetlonoc AKA The Nightsiren (2022)
2021-2030HorrorSlovakiaTereza NvotováWomen Make HorrorQuote:
A young woman returns to her native mountain village, searching for answers about her troubled childhood, but as she tries to uncover the truth, ancient superstitions lead the villagers to accuse her of witchcraft and murder.Read More » -
Ladislav Helge – Bila oblaka AKA White Clouds (1962)
1961-1970Czech RepublicDramaLadislav HelgeWarAutumn 1944, the Slovak National Uprising is suppressed and the fighters must withdraw to the mountains. Commander Repta’s unit takes along the thirteen-year old Zuzka, who lost her home and all her relatives in the rebellion. But the enemy brutally pursues them and Repta therefore must divide his unit. The withdrawal is covered by the group commanded by Peter, whose members almost all die in an exchange of fire with the German soldiers. The only one to survive is the severely wounded Peter. Zuzka, of whom everybody forgot in the zeal of the fight, hides him from the Germans. As soon as Peter is able to walk, he and Zuzka set off to meet their co-fighters.Read More »
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Alica Bednáriková – Chlieb nás kazdodenný AKA Liquid Bread (2022)
2021-2030Alica BednárikováComedyShort FilmSlovakiaQuote:
A family of three generations meets under one roof. An unexpected visit from Zoja, the granddaughter, stirs up the routine. Within a quiet presence of God and alcohol, the family untails it’s tragicomical past and a few unsaid secrets.Read More » -
Jan Svankmajer – Do pivnice AKA Down to the Cellar (1983)
1981-1990AnimationCzech RepublicFantasyJan SvankmajerA little girl goes down to the basement cellar to fetch some potatoes, and finds all her hidden fears about the cellar depicted in animated form.Read More »
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Ivan Ostrochovský – Koza AKA Goat (2015)
2011-2020DramaIvan OstrochovskýSlovakiaQuote:
Peter “Koza” Baláž is a former Olympic boxer. He and his girlfriend Miša live in a dilapidated housing estate, constantly struggling to make ends meet. Miša learns that she is expecting a baby. She decides to terminate her pregnancy and she wants Koza to find the necessary money. Koza, who has not trained in a while, steps back into the ring, hoping to earn some much-needed cash and possibly change Miša’s mind. He and his manager, Zvonko, embark on a “tour” through uncountable fights, where success seems impossible and yet is never forfeited.Read More » -
Stefan Uher – Javor a Juliana AKA Maple and Juliana (1973)
Stefan Uher1971-1980DramaFantasySlovakiaBased on old slovak ballads, it tells of fiddlers who with their magic violins spread evil and destruction all over the world.
From Skritek’s film journal:
A girl is transformed into a maple tree by her impulsive and angry mother. Three poor wandering musicians come by the tree and create instruments from it. Walking around the country instead of happiness they bring death everywhere with their cursed instruments. However they cannot get rid of them, unless they bury the wooden instruments at the place of the tree. The three are anything but harmonious, each taking in their disputes various stances. In the end they are enlisted to go to war, because they hardly survive as unlucky musicians and bring the instruments back. That’s when the story takes an even more tragic turn for all.Read More » -
Ján Kadár & Elmar Klos – Obchod na korze AKA The Shop on Main Street (1965)
Drama1961-1970Elmar KlosJán KadárSlovakiaQuote:
Fascist Slovakia during WW2. Tono lives a poor life, but the authorities offer him to take over the Jewish widow Lautman’s little shop for sewing material. She is old and confused and thinks that he is only looking for employment and hires him. The odd couple begin to like each other. But some time later the authorities decide that the Jews must leave the city. What should he do with the old lady?Read More »