Known for Acting
A short film based on the book by Slovak author Pavol Zeleňák, "Keď sú tajomstvá iba služobné" (When Secrets Are Only Official). In four tragicomic short stories—banking, confessional, medical, and state secrets—the viewer learns what can happen when bank clerks, priests, doctors, and ministers reveal or abuse official secrets. Regardless of the reason for their actions, they can cause curious problems or even tragedy.
Prague, Czechoslovakia, during the inter-war period. Jan Dítě, a young and clever waiter who wants to become a millionaire, comes to the conclusion that to achieve his ambitious goal he must be diligent, listen and observe as much as he can, be always discreet and use what he learns to his own advantage; but the turbulent tides of history will continually stand in his way.
Gabriela Preissová wrote her two most famous dramas, Gazdina roba and Její pastorkyňa, when she was not yet thirty. Both were set to music and became famous. The first opera, entitled Eva, was written by J. B. Foerster, and the second by Leoš Janáček. The fame of Janáček's work greatly overshadowed the original. On the other hand, "Gazdina roba," the author's debut work, is still performed on Czech stages, regardless of the era. That is how powerful and impressive this drama is. The production by director Zdeněk Kaloč premiered at the Vinohrady Theater in May 1992. Dagmar Veškrnová endowed the title role of Eva the seamstress with warmth, temperament, pride, and tragic shadows.
This international co-production, shot at Barrandov Studios with international cast including Czech actors is an attempt to create a sci-fi fantasy in the tradition of Star Wars and Star Trek. Sometime in the distant future, several earthlings turn up on a strange planet ruled over by a despotic ruler with magic powers. A young earth-man initiates a successful uprising.
The theme is inspired by the real life stories of Czechoslovak cyclists Jan Vesely and Jan Kubro. It offers us a look behind the scenes of big races, conflicts with coaches and inner tensions in borderline situations.
