Summary
Two critical eras in the history of a Czech village serve as inspiration for Karel Steklý’s 1975 politically engaged feature. Twice, the idyllic village Údolná serves as a stage for a group of honest communists, who triumph over the old order and open up the path towards a bright socialist future for the villagers. The first occasion is during the “collectivisation” era of the 1950s. The second time is in 1968, when subversive rightist elements seek to overthrow the honest cooperative members. The protagonist of the feature – conforming to the ideological demands of storytelling during the era of “normalisation” – is retired glassworker Štěpán Urban, who becomes the founder and first chairman of the local agricultural cooperative. Jiří Krampol excels in the leading role. Josef Vinklář, Miloš Willig and Jan Skopeček also appear.
Read more
