Summary
Director Jaromil Jireš made a number of successful, intelligent films in the 1980s, including this 1982 psychological drama, written by Daniela Fišerová as her first screenplay. Like on so many occasions, the seasoned director is able to empathise with the character of a young girl playing the central role. This time around he presents a convincing portrayal of 14-year-old Marta, who is forced to change her life because of a sight impairment. When she realises there is little hope of regaining her vision, she cannot cope with living in an institute for sight-impaired children, and even attempts suicide. But Marta gains new faith and addresses her lost internal equilibrium thanks to a new psychologist, who specialises in researching sensory imagination… This melodramatic story of a young girl’s plight is elevated by Jireš’s perceptive direction and the performance of non-professional actor Lucie Pátiková. Oldřich Navrátil stars as psychologist Moš.
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