Who Is Afraid, Flees

Dušan Klein, 1986

Film at Filmový přehled

Summary

Czechoslovak filmmaking has largely avoided films examining Roma issues. But two exceptions are found during the 1980s from director Dušan Klein – crime film Radikální řez (A Radical Cut, 1983) and the drama Kdo se bojí, utíká (Who Is Afraid, Flees, 1986), inspired by the novel Na cikánské stezce (On the Gypsy Trail) by Josef Pohl. Young teacher Dudek returns after the war to the remote village of Růžové pole. There he tries to teach Roma children, with a side story of criminal wrongdoings also thrown into the mix. The director’s eye focuses on the relationships between an idealistic teacher, his pupils and their parents – the latter cynical at first, but gradually won over by Dudek to the cause of education. The main problem surrounds a dishonest school administrator, who forces the children to involve themselves in theft, while he also steals from the children’s parents. A lack of cultural and institutional knowledge mars the movie somewhat, adding a tone bordering on ethnographic bewilderment. Nonetheless, the film has been lauded for its early attempts at presenting non-stereotypical Roma characters. While Radikální řez saw Klein working with non-professional Roma actors, this second “Roma” film from Klein relies on professional mainstream Roma actors Petra Čepek and Yvetta Blanarovičová. Teacher Dudek is played by Pavel Kříž, star of Klein’s How Poets... film series (at the time of filming Kdo se bojí, utíká (Who Is Afraid, Flees) only two instalments of the series had been filmed).
Read more

Film data

About a film

Production year 1986
Countries Czechoslovakia
Categories film
Genres drama
Form feature
Duration 94 min
Director Dušan Klein
Cast Pavel Kříž, Petr Čepek, Anna Kazmierczak, Luděk Munzar, Josef Somr
Director of photography Jaroslav Brabec
Screenplay Dušan Klein, Ladislav Pecháček
Editor Jiří Brožek
Production designer Boris Halmi
Music Zdeněk Marat
Sound designer Jiří Kříž