Summary
Věra Chytilová was one of the most original Czech directors. She was also one of the very few female filmmakers with a long lasting film career. We Eat the Fruit of the Trees of Paradise, however, was the director's last film made in the liberal period of the 1960s. Chytilová as an artist was repeatedly using heterosexual relationships as a topic, infidelity in particular. As the title of the film eloquently suggests, the script was inspired by the biblical characters Eve and Adam. She used their story in a stylized parable, creating a visually thoughtful film constructed through collaboration with scriptwriter and costume designer Ester Krumbachová and cinematographer Jaroslav Kučera. The resulting work of art is spontaneously philosophizing and formally experimenting. Similarly to other allegories, it offers various ways of reading. Needless to say, it is challenging for the audience, which is eventually rewarded with the ultimate cinematic experience.
