Fists in the Dark

At the start of his film career, screenwriter-director Jaroslav Soukup presented himself as an ambitious artist with a strong eye for genre films. In 1986, this sporting drama set in pre-war Prague became one notable result of his efforts. The story centres on real-life Czech boxing champion Vilda Jakub, who faced off against noted German boxer Kurt Schaller several times during the 1930s. The battles in the ring take on a political dimension: Vilda’s defeat would help underscore the image sought by Nazi Germany that the country is inherently superior. Marek Vašut offers a remarkable performance as the stubborn, incorruptible Vilda. Josef Nedorost plays his German opponent. The two great loves of Vilda’s life are played by Jana Krausová (as nurse Blanka) and Eliška Balzerová (as actor Ema Gabrielová).