Brontosaurus

The Brontosaurus Movement started out as a Czechoslovak nature conservation group promoted by the 1970s socialist state. Founded in 1974, it not only introduced the forced engagement of youth in the wider nature conservation effort, it also inspired established author of children’s books, Věra Plívová-Šimková, to make a film. In her narrative about ridding a forest of illegal dumps, it is the world of the protagonist – a country boy named Tomáš Šereda – that assumes the most important role. Tomáš so loves nature that he encourages his schoolmates to take part in a rather original rebellion against the adults who remain indifferent to the polluting of the natural environment. The director of this made-to-order film relied on lively dialogue, the natural environment as well as the natural performances of child actors. Apart from her son, Tomáš Šimek, she also cast a popular child actress, Dana Vávrová, as the main character’s friend, a girl who goes by the name of Víla Amálka (after the animated character “Fairy Amálka”). Josef Somr, Daniela Kolářová and Zdeněk Svěrák are among those who played adult roles.