Summary
Before film adaptations of the works of Bohumil Hrabal became the domain of director Jiří Menzel, the legendary author inspired other members of the Czechoslovak New Wave. Perličky na dně (Pearls at the Bottom, 1965), is just one such example – an anthology in which five freshmen directors convincingly demonstrated their capabilities. Alongside Jiří Menzel, Jan Němec, Evald Schorm, Věra Chytilová and Jaromil Jireš, director Ivan Passer also made his own similarly-oriented short film, namely the Hrabal adaptation Fádní odpoledne (A Dull Afternoon, 1964), released in cinemas independently. One other similar project, which also failed to make it into 1965’s film anthology, is the half-hour Hrabal etude Sběrné surovosti (Cruelties of Life) filmed by the then rookie director Juraj Herz. The director had the opportunity of working with Hrabal to adapt the screenplay for this project. The story Baron Prášil (Baron Műnchausen, 1961) from the Pearls at the Bottom collection is transformed on screen into an unconventional, raw, surrealistic study, with its humorously morbid traits serving as a precursor to Herz’s future horror-themed films. The bizarre story takes place in a paper collection facility, dominated by its quirky paper buyer Hanťa. This talkative man serves as both the witness and initiator of countless humorous, embarrassing and even moving events. The loud chatterbox and his endless made-up stories are becoming an annoyance to his boss, the head of the collection facility, the refined Mr. Bohoušek. Hanťa’ has no compunction in liquidating some unwanted statues from a nearby church. Fortunately, his eccentricity doesn’t go so far as to want to add young rascal Pepíček to the paper press. In the spirit of New Wave experimentation, director Herz casts this film with non-actors. The performances of Václav Halama as Hanťa, and František Ketzek as the “comrade boss” help give the film a sense of realism. Hrabal’s Hanťa character would appear again in the nostalgic tragicomedy Příliš hlučná samota (Too Loud a Solitude, 1995) from director Věra Caisová. In the sleek co-production, the character is played by popular French actor Philippe Noiret.
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