Summary
It was at the end of the 1960s that actor Vít Olmer decided to take a stab at directing. Olmer’s pre-1989 directorial output is widely regarded as noteworthy, but following the revolution and the impact of the unleashed market economy on Czech cinema, Olmer embraced more commercial projects. This 1969 feature-film debut from Olmer tells the story of 23-year-old Veronika who no longer finds fulfilment in leading a somewhat promiscuous, emotionally unattached life. Talented photographer Jan offers her the chance of a normal relationship. However, Veronika soon discovers that she is merely the subject of Jan’s professional passions. The then 28-year-old director sought to present a morality play that utilises the contemporary poetic styles of the Czechoslovak New Wave. Valerie Chmelová offers an authentic debut performance alongside non-professional actor Antonín Sládek. The perceived artistic failure of this film led Olmer to take a multi-year break from shooting feature films.
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