While America was in its war of attrition with censorship and regulations, Europe was in the middle of its own cinematic revolution. Starting in 1960, with the release of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, ushering in the French New Wave, Europeans followed through with their own kind of creative and experimental filmmaking. One country to suddenly emerge as a heavy hitter was Czechoslovakia; emerging from their hardships through WWII as a more reflective and hardened country. The decade’s political and economic crisis escalated cultural resentment, ushering in an era of in-depth exploration and assessments. Here are some of its best work:
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
5 Daisies (1966)
HBO Max Distributions
Directed by Vera Chitilova, the film follows the lives of two female students roaming through life without the slightest care in the world, until circumstances beyond their control force them to address the state of their controlled lives. A clear and brutal critique of the communist regime plaguing the country during the ’60s. Chitilova attempted to craft an absurd but relatable story on the plights of young women, thoroughly exploring subjugation and control through succinct metaphors on love, sex, drugs, and alcohol. There’s an intense sadness behind all the glamour depicted, further driving home the point of how society is equally as responsible for accepting this form of psychological torture (a very prevalent point featured in almost all the works of Czechoslovakian New Wave). Its brilliant use of montage and tinted lighting gives it a dreamy quality, enhancing the experience as one where each viewer gets something out of it.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
4 Loves of a Blonde (1965)
Criterion Collection Distributions
Milos Forman, the legendary director of Hollywood classics like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Amadeus, began his career during the Czechoslovakian New Wave as a young and passionate director of the mundane. His previous venture, Black Peter, earned him high critical praise. He followed it up with another masterful exploration of lust and youth, presenting us with a curious and introvert young girl looking for a partner to love and live with. After a brief but passionate night with a pianist, she decides to pursue him, only to discover, in a twist of fate, that his living conditions are not apt for comfort. The film amounts to a fantastic exploration of desire and dreams, and how distant they can sometimes be from reality. Its conclusive message, to move on from these desires and accept your position in the world you live in, is a stark reminder of what’s in store for those who are unaware and ultimately fly too close to the sun.
3 The Fireman’s Ball (1967)
Czechoslovakian Filmxport Distribution
Another one of Forman’s films, the story follows a group of firemen and their antics while in the midst of an annual celebration. Things begin to escalate, and before they know it their night is completely sabotaged. A cynical comedy presenting the darker and more bureaucratic side of the country’s communism, it is a fine critique on its society and the many ways it attempts to exploit its members in an almost interconnected fashion. The scarcity is brilliantly depicted through the “no honor among thieves” trope, showing us the degrading lengths people must go through in order to survive such a place. The film’s conclusion is a stark reminder of the cost of indifference and pillaging, as an old man is left homeless and without hope due to the nature of the society he lives in. Foreman captures the essence of the squalor by juxtaposing each action with a reaction, showcasing the downright absurd trickle-down effect.
2 Diamonds of the Night (1964)
Impact Films Distribution
Jan Nemec delivers a powerful reflection of war following the lives of two child soldiers attempting to make a harrowing escape through the trenches of WWII. Nemec’s usage of montage and surreal imagery keeps the viewers in disarray to an almost hypnotic level. Its unreliable narrator, the camera itself, brings further mystery into the realm, forcing the viewers to interpret what we see with cautious eyes. While a detriment in some stories, it works beautifully in its favor by ratcheting up the tension between the cat-and-mouse game the soldiers are engaged in. The ending is nothing short of mesmerizing, leaving the soldiers’ fate completely open to interpretation. Yet, it is made clear that regardless of what happened to them, the world they inhabit is cruel and unnerving, forever keeping them on the edge.
1 Closely Watched Trains (1966)
Criterion Collections Distribution
Another WWII caper, Jiri Menzel presents us with a harrowing picture of the consequences of war. While slow in its presentation, it begins to escalate to a point of total chaos; all the while you’re left wondering just what exactly were you seeing in the first place. It follows the life of a young man unperturbed by the current circumstances, as he attempts to wow a girl. His predilection takes him to places he should’ve never dared cross, resulting in a dangerous situation with little chance of escape. Menzel intended to capture the arduous and sacrifice required to exist in such an environment. It constantly keeps you on edge at every moment, knowing full well that one bad move can result in the complete destruction of both the main characters and his hometown. There’s a hint of cynical humor present throughout, almost as a necessity. The trains themselves take on a new meaning, symbolizing hope and despair while conveying the passing of time and opportunities. It is the type of film that leaves you in a perpetual state of contemplation, inviting the viewer to reflect and acknowledge.
