Summary
During the 1970s, one way of enabling costlier projects to be made was to establish joint productions with other Eastern Bloc “partners”. This 1975 Czechoslovak-Polish co-production is just such an example. The drama, set against the attractive backdrop of the 1930s, is based on a novel by Polish author Henryk Worcell called Zaklęte rewiry. Brought to the screen by fellow Pole and director Janusz Majewski, the film tells the story of young Roman, who gets a job at a hotel in order to train as a waiter. But behind-the-scenes, Hotel Pacifik differs markedly from its outwardly sparkling facade and chic, wealthy clientele. Roman finds himself entangled in a class-ridden world full of envy, greed and thirst for power. Like other hotel staff, the young man tries to find his own way of grasping notions of loyalty and morality. The strong production features Polish actor Marek Kondrat in the main role. On the Czech side we find the significant contribution of noted cinematographer Miroslav Ondříček. Also Czech actors Roman Skamene, Jaroslava Schallerová and Čestmír Řanda have major roles in the film.
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