Contemporary World Film Series 11: IN THE SHADOW (‘VE STINU’) , CZECH REPUBLIC

 

 

The story is a crime thriller, mystery tale, political drama, rolled into one shot in film noir style, which is what makes it a riveting, unforgettable film.

 

In the Shadow won awards at numerous festivals around the world, as also nine Czech Lion prizes, the country’s most prestigious film-awards. It was the country’s Oscar nominee in 2012. 

 

The film centers around the infamous ‘show-trials’   that condemned many innocent people to death, especially Jews, during the Communist era in Czechoslovakia.

 

The story is set in Czechoslovakia of the 1950’s, and opens with a robbery, shot in film noir style with darkened lighting, shadowy figures, men in hats and trench coats. At the center of the action is Inspector Haki, the chief investigator of the robbery. He slowly realizes that he’s just a small keg in the wheel, and there are much bigger forces at play.

 

Haki has to deal with the Secret Service, his political bosses, and also a new German inspector. But he relentlessly pursues his mission, and is forced to spend less and less time with his lovely wife and child. The shocker last scene is symptomatic of the time and the system.

 

The film stars one of the most revered actors of the country, the brilliant Ivan Trojan in the lead, as also well-known actor Sebastien Koch, as the German agent (he’s best remembered for his role in the Oscar-winning film ‘The Lives of Others’.) The Director of the movie, David Ondricek was named one of ‘ Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch’.

 

In the Shadow shows one man’s fight against injustice and is dedicated to victims of the show-trials and “all of the unknown heroes who have fought against injustice.”

 

Hollywood Reporter: ‘The film succeeds as both a good police procedural and as a biting political commentary on the era.’ 

 

Variety: ’Intriguingly brings a film-noir sensibility to a time of great political tension.’

              

Indie Wire: ‘In the Shadow has a visual lyricism that makes it feel like a finely drawn graphic novel come to life.’

 

 

 

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Film Auditorium will open at 3:00 pm

 

Entry Fee: 20 B

 

Online Register: https://goo.gl/forms/7tfI6n4ceB3INzUX2

Registration Confirmation

Email: filmforum17@gmail.com