Cobweb

This unique project was completed by director Zdeněk Zaoral at Gottwaldov Film Studios (today Zlín) in 1986. Work on Pavučina began at the start of the decade as part of a semi-professional project at Prague's FAMU film school, where Zaoral worked as a teacher. The subject matter of drug abuse was controversial enough within an “ideal” socialistic society. Zaoral tackles the issue in an open, honest manner (unlike Zbyňek Brynych in crime drama Mravenci nesou smrt – Ants Bring Death, 1985), through an effort at presenting raw documentary-style realism. Eighteen-year-old drug addict Radka serves as the central character in this depressing story. Unable to shake-off the habit alone, Radka goes into rehab. There, while undergoing therapy, she tries to get to the roots of her familial angst – her disinterested parents being a major factor in her current drug dependency. Eva Kulichová takes the lead role in this drama; many of Zaoral’s personal friends helped to fill key positions in this film enterprise.