Summary
Jan Hřebejk and Petr Jarchovský – two distinctive personalities who would go on to form one of the most enduring writer-director partnerships in post-war Czechoslovak film – co-operated on the screenplay for this tragicomedy set in a scout (socialist-era “pioneer”) camp. Pějme píseň dohola (Let’s Sing a Song, 1990) provided the directing debut for a core member of the Sklep Theatre of Prague, Ondřej Trojan. In later years, now primarily wearing a producer’s hat, Trojan would team up on many other successful projects alongside Hřebejk and Jarchovský. This summer holiday story, mining both the bizarreness and curiosity factor of organised camp life, served as a showcase film for an emerging generation of filmmakers, and their very particular sense of style and humour. Today, Pějme píseň dohola has attained cult status. The role of female pioneer Tráva is played by the next of Hřebejk’s star finds, namely Anna Geislerová, here seen in her debut role.
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