Central European Challenge (Official, January 2023)

[Fergenaprido]

Goal
Watch as many movies as you can from Poland, Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia, or Czechoslovakia. The film must have been produced by a company from one of these companies in a large capacity, and not simply filmed there (Prague doubles as a lot of medieval/European cities in films). If you are in doubt whether a movie counts or not, just ask.

Rules:
- Challenge runs from January 1, 2023 to January 31, 2023.
- A feature film (at least 40 minutes) counts as one point.
- 80 minutes of short films or miniseries/TV episodes counts as one point.
- Films/episodes must be watched one at a time, at single speed (not sped up), and in their entirety.
- Rewatches are allowed and are good for the soul.

I'll clean up this section tomorrow at some point never, it seems

Spoiler

Helpful Lists

Central Europe

Magic realism in East Central Europe - some films

Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, & Slovakia

Official - Golden Foundation of Czech and Slovak Cinema
Czech & Slovak submissions for Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture
Czech Film Awards Best Film
Film Heritage's Top 50 Czech/Slovak Films
Slovak Film Institute's DVD Series
Czechoslovak New Wave Films

Hungary

Official - 53 Magyar Film's Best Hungarian Films
Hungarian submissions for Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture
Filmmúzeum's Greatest Hungarian Films
Gelencsér Gábor's Recommended Film List for Hungarian Film History

Poland

Official - Polish Film Institute's 100 Years of Polish Cinema
Polish submissions for Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture
Polish Film Awards Best Film
Marek Haltof's Polish National Cinema
Martin Scorsese Present: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema
BFI History of Polish Cinema
Esensja Magazine's Top 50 Polish Films

Official Lists


Unofficial Lists

Unofficial Lists

Previous Challenges of this Theme

Previous Challenges (& Winners)

Bonus Challenge
1. Hit for the cycle - watch films from all countries from all decades from the 1930s to 2020s. 3 countries for the 1930s to 1980s, 5 for 1990s (we'll count Czechoslovakia, Czechia, and Slovakia separately for this), and 4 for 2000s to 2020s.
2. Recommendation game - Watch as many recommended films from other participants. Similar to past challenges. Everyone can recommend 1 film after posting their first point. They can recommend another film for every 5 recommended films seen.

Participants
49 - nimimerkillinen
44 - jdidaco
40 - airdolll
30 - sol
19 - peeptoad
13 - blocho
8 - gunnar
8 - maxwelldeux
7 - DudeLanez
6 - VincentPrice
4 - flavo5000
4 - ororama
3 - AB537
3 - Tngy
2 - Lakigigar
2 - zzzorf
1 - Lonewolf2003
1 - Mario Gaborović
1 - mightysparks

Bonus Challenge Participants

Participant	1930s	1940s	1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s	Total
jdidaco				CSK HUN POL	CSK HUN POL	CSK HUN POL	CZE HUN POL	CZE HUN POL SVK	CZE HUN SVK	HUN POL	21
sol	POL	CSK	POL	CSK HUN POL	CSK HUN POL	HUN POL	POL	CZE	CZE POL	POL HUN SVK	18
airdolll	CSK	HUN	HUN	CSK HUN POL	CSK HUN POL	CSK POL	POL	POL	HUN POL	SVK	16
peeptoad	CSK	CSK	CSK POL	CSK	HUN POL	CSK POL	CZE SVK	CZE	POL	CZ4	14
blocho				CSK HUN POL	POL		POL		CZE HUN POL	CZE POL SVK	11
DudeLanez			CSK	CSK POL	CSK POL	HUN				POL	7
maxwelldeux				CSK HUN POL	POL	HUN	POL				6
flavo5000			CSK	CSK		POL				HUN	4
gunnar		CSK		CSK	CSK	POL					4
ororama						HUN	POL		HUN POL		4
AB537				CSK	HUN POL						3
Tngy			HUN	CSK						POL	3
Lakigigar				CSK		CSK					2
zzzorf								SVK		POL	2
mightysparks				CSK							1
Lonewolf2003				POL							1

Recommendations
zzzorf - https://www.icheckmovies.com/movies/sara/ (1997 Poland) - seen by sol

[VincentPrice]

1. Defekt-1977: 8/10

[Mario Gaborović]

01. Muži bez křídel (1946) - Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic)

[zzzorf]

For anyone looking for inspiration here are my ranked lists for each eligible country.

Czech Republic https://boxd.it/eRFZ8
Hungary https://boxd.it/f5yz6
Poland https://boxd.it/f9JAi
Slovakia https://boxd.it/fblCe

[DudeLanez]

1. Passenger (1963, Munk/Lesiewicz) 6,5/10 #Poland
2. Afterimage (2016, Andrzej Wajda) 8/10 #Poland


Afterimage (2016)

POL: 2 / CZE: 0 / HUN: 0 / SVK: 0

1. Passenger (1963, Munk/Lesiewicz) 6,5/10 #Poland
2. Afterimage (2016, Andrzej Wajda) 8/10 #Poland

[sol]

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia



The first 25 minutes are easily best and the most nightmarish here as the protagonist enters a seemingly abandoned building where he constant falls through floorboards to hidden levels, and as he envisions multiple doors to darkness opening (see above). Things become a little less atmospheric after this point, but that is when the stinging bureaucratic satire begins as he is put on trial and accused of being a hare himself in scenes that evoke the then yet-unmade The Wicker Man. Add in an eerily cyclic ending, an impossible crash that he survives early on, and crazy 'thinking machine' and this really rocks.

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia

2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia



As a narrative, this is a bit shaky, from the weird coincidence of a killed cat with magical eyesight re-emerging to how everyone in the world is placed into four distinct, non-overlapping categories, to how no one minds when turned red (yes, that happens). The special effects are damn impressive though as actors tinted in various shades of red, yellow, purple and grey start prancing around the place. There is also an amazing dark background magic show.

[peeptoad]

1. Le golem (Czechoslovakia ,1936) 6
2. Lokis. Rękopis profesora Wittembacha (Poland,1970) 7

[maxwelldeux]

1. Carriage to Vienna (1966, Czechoslovakia)

Comments in 1000<400.

[Lakigigar]

1. Něco z Alenky (1988, Czechoslovakia) - 8/10
Lol, someone made an Alice even more fucked up than Alice in Wonderland. I liked it.

[airdolll]

I apologize in advance if I won't have much time to write about the films once the holidays are over. The bonus challenge is interesting but I highly doubt I will complete it since I have a good amount of 60-70s films I want to prioritize, but I hope it will encourage me to seek out a few from the earlier decades.

1. Dekalog V (1989) Poland (57 min) + Dekalog VI (1989) Poland (58 min)
2. Dekalog VII (1989) Poland (55 min)

I was planning to complete the entire Dekalog as my first entry for the challenge but I clearly don't enjoy this as much as everyone else and I've been struggling to find the motivation to do so. In any case, I'm still looking forward to A Short Film About Killing, which was easily the best one and didn't have the standard TV look.

3. Baron Prásil | The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962) Czechoslovakia

A lighter watch and a much needed break from the Dekalog. It's charming and it made me think of the more colorful works of Powell-Pressburger (The Red Shoes, The Tales of Hoffmann), though it doesn't reach the same heights in my opinion. My reaction was pretty similar to the one I had to Invention for Destruction; it looks great, but I feel like the spell quickly wears off.

Watched films

1. Dekalog V (1989) Poland
2. Dekalog VI (1989) Poland
3. Dekalog VII (1989) Poland
4. Baron Prásil | The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962) Czechoslovakia

Bonus Challenge Progress

1930s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1940s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1950s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1960s
Czechoslovakia - 1
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1970s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1980s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 2

1990s
Czechia - 0
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2000s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2010s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2020s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

[Fergenaprido]

I apologize in advance if I won't have much time to write about the films once the holidays are over. The bonus challenge is interesting but I highly doubt I will complete it since I have a good amount of 60-70s films I want to prioritize, but I hope it will encourage me to seek out a few from the earlier decades.

1. Dekalog V (1989) Poland
2. Dekalog VI (1989) Poland
3. Dekalog VII (1989) Poland

No worries about the Bonus challenge, it was just something I came up with last minute to encourage exploration. I'll be surprised if anyone actually manages to complete it.

And aren't the Dekalog films only 60-minutes long?

- 80 minutes of short films or miniseries/TV episodes counts as one point.

[airdolll]

And aren't the Dekalog films only 60-minutes long?

- 80 minutes of short films or miniseries/TV episodes counts as one point.

Corrected now, thanks!

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia

3. The Witness (1969) Hungary



A man is appointed to a series of jobs that repeatedly result in jail terms in this satire. The politically slanted ghost train that he is placed in charge of (as one job) is hilarious; same goes for his attempts to pass off lemons as oranges when he fails at managing an orange grove. These shenanigans are far removed though from his discomfort at being made a state witness (which crops up in the second half), then there are some weird storybook style title-cards. Everything concludes well though with a potent final few minutes that swipe at the crazy politics back then, but this felt more than a little uneven.

[ororama]

1. Birthplace/Miejsce urodzenia (1992) * 47 min. Poland
A documentary in which a Polish American Holocaust survivor returns to his home village to ask people what happened to his murdered father and younger brother. It's fascinating to watch him probe and try to figure out who is telling the truth.

*First time viewing

[St. Gloede]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia

3. The Witness (1969) Hungary



A man is appointed to a series of jobs that repeatedly result in jail terms in this satire. The politically slanted ghost train that he is placed in charge of (as one job) is hilarious; same goes for his attempts to pass off lemons as oranges when he fails at managing an orange grove. These shenanigans are far removed though from his discomfort at being made a state witness (which crops up in the second half), then there are some weird storybook style title-cards. Everything concludes well though with a potent final few minutes that swipe at the crazy politics back then, but this felt more than a little uneven.

Glad you loved The Witness, Sol. Bacso is one of the great comedic directors. I strongly recommend seeking out Oh, Bloody Life, which is equally overt in it's socialcritique and equally hilarious, as well as The Agony of Mr. Boroka and the more restrained Bicyclists in Love.

[sol]

Glad you loved The Witness, Sol. Bacso is one of the great comedic directors. I strongly recommend seeking out Oh, Bloody Life, which is equally overt in it's socialcritique and equally hilarious, as well as The Agony of Mr. Boroka and the more restrained Bicyclists in Love.

I think it's overstating it to say that I loved The Witness. I liked it, but it's my least favourite of the trio that I have logged so far this month. Rookie Hangman is easily the best of them for my money. That said, the humour was what I liked the most about The Witness, so I've made note of your other recommendations. We'll see what I actually manage to fit in this month...

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia
3. The Witness (1969) Hungary

4. ...And the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965) Czechoslovakia



This is cleverly fashioned as a paranoia thriller to emphasis the danger of the protagonist's undertaking and the opening scenes are amazing, full of voyeuristic camerawork and visions that inexplicably appear and disappear. Even more arresting is the cinematography inside in his apartment building with the eyes of all his nosy neighbours eerily looking down a spiral stairwell at him whenever he enters or exits. Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia is scary as hell.

[maxwelldeux]

1000 < 400 Czechs

1. Carriage to Vienna (1966, Czechoslovakia)

2. The Double Life of Véronique (1991, Poland)

This should probably go in the queue for a rewatch soon. I wasn't really in the right frame of mind to watch it. I was ~10m into this when I got sucked into the news about the NFL player collapsing on the field. And then there was the collapse onstage in this film. And I just lost focus. I wanted to like it, but I didn't.

[airdolll]

4. Liza, a rókatündér | Liza the Fox-Fairy (2015) Hungary

The ultimate mash-up: musical rom-com meets Japanese fairy-tale meets murder investigation meets 60s fashion. Since it's so many things at once I felt like none of its elements had the chance to truly shine. It feels very unique but the routine started becoming repetitive.




5. Boxer a smrt | The Boxer and Death (1963) Czechoslovakia

The relentless cruelty of concentration camps is shown while focusing the story on two boxing rivals: a commander and a prisoner. The dynamic between the two is pretty interesting. Kraft (the commander) keeps encouraging Jan (the prisoner) to compete in equal terms and to his full potential, but he knows that he mustn't be seen as a threat in order to protect himself. Themes of survival, pride and power all enter the equation.
The relationship between Jan and his trainer was a breath of fresh air in such a desolate environment, just as the growing solidarity between the prisoners. The final scene is gorgeous; it shook my expectations and released so much emotional power.



6. Swiadectwo urodzenia | Birth Certificate (1961) Poland

War-time through the eyes of children. The three stories are pretty consistent but I think that my favorite one was the last one, mostly thanks to child actress Beata Barszczewska and how much expression and emotion there was in her eyes.

Watched films

1. Dekalog V (1989) Poland (57 min) + Dekalog VI (1989) Poland (58 min)
2. Dekalog VII (1989) Poland (55 min)
3. Baron Prásil | The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962) Czechoslovakia
4. Liza, a rókatündér | Liza the Fox-Fairy (2015) Hungary
5. Boxer a smrt | The Boxer and Death (1963) Czechoslovakia
6. Swiadectwo urodzenia | Birth Certificate (1961) Poland

Bonus Challenge Progress

1930s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1940s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1950s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1960s
Czechoslovakia - 2
Hungary - 0
Poland - 1

1970s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1980s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 2

1990s
Czechia - 0
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2000s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2010s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 1
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2020s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

[VincentPrice]

2. 1-2009: 7/10

Spoiler

1. Defekt-1977: 8/10

[sol]

The Fifth Viewing:

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia
3. The Witness (1969) Hungary
4. ...And the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965) Czechoslovakia

5. The Fifth Seal (1976) Hungary



This is not an especially easy film to get into with almost the entire first half-hour dedicated to four men discussing food and food preparation techniques. Things get more interesting once a philosophical conundrum is finally proposed, but even then it is only in the final half-hour that the film truly soars as the men are grilled by members of the far-right Arrow Cross Party, and are forced to confront just where they stand on the ethical and moral principles that the philosophical question made them consider. The final scene is especially memorable and haunting. It takes the film quite a while to get there though.

[mightysparks]

1. Vtáckovia, siroty a blázni (1969) 3/10 SVK
Disillusioned by their bleak reality a group of people opt to live a childish and playful existence. Central and Eastern European comedies are my idea of hell and this film is no exception to the rule. It's ugly, annoying and not funny. There is a sense of playfulness and chaos in every element but it's not enjoyable. It feels repetitive, the characters are annoying and it doesn't really do a lot with the potential of the plot--I don't really understand anything that happened. Also why does the IMDb plot summary say these people are teenagers? The actress could pass but the men look 40.

POL: 0 / CZE: 0 / HUN: 0 / SVK: 1

1. Vtáckovia, siroty a blázni (1969) 3/10 SVK

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia
3. The Witness (1969) Hungary
4. ...And the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965) Czechoslovakia
5. The Fifth Seal (1976) Hungary

6. Sexmission (1984) Poland



Two cryogenically frozen male chauvinists are revived after half a century to discover that men have become extinct here. With a title like that and some raunchy promotional artwork, one might expect this to be a sex comedy, which it isn't. That said, we do get some humour at the expense of the men force kissing various women and making them swoon, which feels very icky, but the film's main drawback is its shying away from exploring the potential of a world without men and in which war is apparently no longer a thing. The movie does offer some communism satire though and excellent newfangled sets.

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia
3. The Witness (1969) Hungary
4. ...And the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965) Czechoslovakia
5. The Fifth Seal (1976) Hungary
6. Sexmission (1984) Poland

7. All My Friends Are Dead (2020) Poland



Misunderstandings and unfortunate coincidences leads to bloodshed and mayhem at a New Year's Eve party in this energetic horror comedy. The film gets off to a weak start, opening with two detectives investigating the aftermath of the party (with lame vomiting gags and the like) before flashing back in time to show the build-up to the bloodbath - and the film really could have done without the detectives at all. The Tucker & Dale stuff is good though when it finally kicks in with various accidents and rash assumptions leading to greater and greater chaos. The first death is very well shot and edited too.

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia
3. The Witness (1969) Hungary
4. ...And the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965) Czechoslovakia
5. The Fifth Seal (1976) Hungary
6. Sexmission (1984) Poland
7. All My Friends Are Dead (2020) Poland

8. The Third Part of the Night (1971) Poland



For those familiar with Zulawski, his usual trademarks are present is this debut: contorted facial expressions, weird camera angles and atmospheric music in spades. The film looks pretty great in general either way with the occasional 360 degree rotating shot and choice low camera angles in between the jarring handheld shots and exaggerated performances. As a narrative though, the film is a bit hard to get a grip on. There is some doppelganger stuff (perhaps), an actual childbirth with expected levels of blood, and the real-life practice of lice-feeding, which becomes the film's most fascinating element.

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia
3. The Witness (1969) Hungary
4. ...And the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965) Czechoslovakia
5. The Fifth Seal (1976) Hungary
6. Sexmission (1984) Poland
7. All My Friends Are Dead (2020) Poland
8. The Third Part of the Night (1971) Poland

9. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1978) Czechoslovakia



The animation is off-putting at first here, largely consisting of static backgrounds and cut-out characters, but there are some amazing effects too. The animated snow blizzards and glistening lakes look great and there is also a striking skull with a candle "hat". Where the film gets really interesting is when it delves into the magic, trickery and deception going on, with not only with animal transformations but pine nuts temporarily turned into jewelry too. The film gets a bit bogged down with a lifeless love interest, but this is generally a deliciously dark tale of a young man realising that his benefactor is evil.

[airdolll]

7. ...a pátý jezdec je Strach | ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1962) Czechoslovakia

It was already on my watchlist but after reading sol's review I just couldn't resist the urge. The Czech New Wave once again delivers an exciting, meticulously crafted, delirious gem. This feels like a feverish nightmare you can't wake up from. Or don't want to, since it's such a pleasure for the eye.



8. Eltávozott nap | The Girl (1968) Hungary

Like Adoption, which I watched not long ago, Márta Mészáros' debut deals with mother-daughter relationships while also being a quiet, introspective quest for our main character. This is the one that I liked more; it's more free-spirited and I enjoyed the road movie aspect of it.



9. Apa | Father (1966) Hungary

Loved this one and the first half reminded me of Les quatre cents coups. It's playful, it's nostalgic, but it's a bittersweet coming of age. This is a film about an absent father who is, ironically, never absent. Not just because the father keeps appearing on-screen, never leaving the child's mind and inspiring his imagination again and again, but also because of how strongly the father figure shapes the children's perception, their identity, their interactions with others, and how it all ties to the war. This is later further explored in the second half, when the kids have grown up and are seeking for closure, recognizing both a connection and a disconnect to it. Impeccable direction keeping a great rhythm at all times.



10. Drak sa vracia | Dragon's Return (1968) Czechoslovakia

This is 100% my thing. Atmospheric folk tale, isolated rural setting, echoed whispers in the mountains, almost a magical feel to it. I thought it would become more violent since there were several hints, and at the end I felt like it didn't hit as hard as I was hoping and that it could have achieved an even greater impact. But that's not to say it lacks emotion, and it was overall truly entrancing.

Watched films

1. Dekalog V (1989) Poland (57 min) + Dekalog VI (1989) Poland (58 min)
2. Dekalog VII (1989) Poland (55 min)
3. Baron Prásil | The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962) Czechoslovakia
4. Liza, a rókatündér | Liza the Fox-Fairy (2015) Hungary
5. Boxer a smrt | The Boxer and Death (1963) Czechoslovakia
6. Swiadectwo urodzenia | Birth Certificate (1961) Poland
7. ...a pátý jezdec je Strach | ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1962) Czechoslovakia
8. Eltávozott nap | The Girl (1968) Hungary
9. Apa | Father (1966) Hungary
10. Drak sa vracia | Dragon's Return (1968) Czechoslovakia

Bonus Challenge Progress

1930s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1940s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1950s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1960s
Czechoslovakia - 4
Hungary - 2
Poland - 1

1970s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1980s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 2

1990s
Czechia - 0
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2000s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2010s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 1
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2020s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

[sol]

7. ...a pátý jezdec je Strach | ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1962) Czechoslovakia

It was already on my watchlist but after reading sol's review I just couldn't resist the urge. The Czech New Wave once again delivers an exciting, meticulously crafted, delirious gem. This feels like a feverish nightmare you can't wake up from. Or don't want to, since it's such a pleasure for the eye.

My second favourite viewing so far this month (after Rookie Hangman). Quite right, it feels essential for fans of feverish nightmare cinema!

[sol]

Spoiler

1. Case for a Rookie Hangman (1970) Czechoslovakia
2. When the Cat Comes (1963) Czechoslovakia
3. The Witness (1969) Hungary
4. ...And the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1965) Czechoslovakia
5. The Fifth Seal (1976) Hungary
6. Sexmission (1984) Poland
7. All My Friends Are Dead (2020) Poland
8. The Third Part of the Night (1971) Poland
9. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1978) Czechoslovakia

10. The Oddsockeaters (2016) Czech Republic



Why is it that odd socks always seem to disappear? This animated comedy thinks it has the answer, presenting underworld of sock-consuming monsters invisible to all humans except those driven mad from loneliness. If that does not sound creepy enough, the monsters look exactly like the socks they eat except with giant round mouths. Yep. The film has its enjoyable bits and pieces once one gets used to the film's weird world. There is a fun part in which the main sock monster runs around a pub covertly removing everyone's socks with remarkable speed. Far too much time though is spent on sock gangs (!).

[peeptoad]

3. Cien (1956, Poland) 8
4. Cesta do praveku/Journey to the Beginning of Time (1955, Czechoslovakia) 7
5. Vynález zkázy/Invention for Destruction (1958, Czechoslovakia) 8

widziany!

1. Le golem (1936, Czechoslovakia) 6
2. Lokis. Rękopis profesora Wittembacha (1970, Poland) 7

[jdidaco]

Thank you for hosting, Fergenaprido!

(Screenshots from 'Krotká' & 'Radúz a Mahulena'),



1. Majster kat (Master Executioner, Palo Bielik, 1966) 8/10 (Czechoslovakia (Slovakia))
2. Krotká (A Gentle Spirit, Stanislav Barabas, 1969) 9/10 (Czechoslovakia (Slovakia))
3. Az ember tragédiája (The Tragedy of Man, Miklós Szinetár, 1969) 8.5/10 (Hungary)
4. Radúz a Mahulena (Raduz and Mahulena, Petr Weigl, 1970) 9.5/10 (Czechoslovakia (Czechia))
5. Zlatovláska (Princess Goldilocks, Vlasta Janecková, 1973) 7.5/10 (Czechoslovakia (Czechia))
6. Palac (The Palace, Tadeusz Junak, 1980) 8.5/10 (Poland)
7. Alicja/Alice (Jerzy Gruza & Jacek Bromski, 1982) 7/10 (Poland)
8. Tretí princ (The Third Prince, Antonín Moskalyk, 1983) 8.5/10 (Czechoslovakia (Czechia))
9. Pierscien i róza (The Ring and the Rose, Jerzy Gruza, 1987) 9/10 (Poland)
10. Forradalom után (After the Revolution, András Szirtes, 1990) 8/10 (Hungary)
11. Klíc k urcování trpaslíku podle deníku Pavla Jurácka (The Key for Determining Dwarfs or The Last Travel of Lemuel Gulliver, Martin Sulík, 2002) 9/10 (Czechia)
12. Mindörökké (Perpetuity, György Pálfi, 2021) 7.5/10 (Hungary)

[airdolll]

7. ...a pátý jezdec je Strach | ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1962) Czechoslovakia

It was already on my watchlist but after reading sol's review I just couldn't resist the urge. The Czech New Wave once again delivers an exciting, meticulously crafted, delirious gem. This feels like a feverish nightmare you can't wake up from. Or don't want to, since it's such a pleasure for the eye.

My second favourite viewing so far this month (after Rookie Hangman). Quite right, it feels essential for fans of feverish nightmare cinema!

Love Rookie Hangman, I would also place it above. It's on my 500<400 actually

[airdolll]

Oops that was a double post

[airdolll]

11. Niewinni czarodzieje | Innocent Sorcerers (1960) Poland

Sweet youthful romance with a great chemistry between its two leads that didn't fail to put a smile on my face.



12. Wrony | Crows (1994) Poland

Its tenderness keeps things balanced but I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible would end up happening to the girls; there's a sense of threat and danger that comes with the scenario, and I think that's the point and precisely why it works. The longing for love is perfectly conveyed as well, achieving a memorable final shot.



13. Pora umierac | Time to die (2007) Poland

I'm really glad that Wrony inspired me to check out something else by Dorota Kedzierzawska, because I made a fantastic discovery to be kept close to my heart. This instantly brought tears to my eyes because the character of Aniela ressembled so much that of my grandmother, who died a few years ago. I felt like I was keeping her company as the days peacefully passed by, and I ended up with something way more special than what I was anticipating.
Also, the cinematography is such a treat, borrowing plenty from impressionism and accompanied by piano music. There's a specific moment I keep going back to that I think is breathtaking, at the 40 minute mark, of very gothic, ethereal, phantasmagoric visions.

Watched films

1. Dekalog V (1989) Poland (57 min) + Dekalog VI (1989) Poland (58 min)
2. Dekalog VII (1989) Poland (55 min)
3. Baron Prásil | The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962) Czechoslovakia
4. Liza, a rókatündér | Liza the Fox-Fairy (2015) Hungary
5. Boxer a smrt | The Boxer and Death (1963) Czechoslovakia
6. Swiadectwo urodzenia | Birth Certificate (1961) Poland
7. ...a pátý jezdec je Strach | ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1962) Czechoslovakia
8. Eltávozott nap | The Girl (1968) Hungary
9. Apa | Father (1966) Hungary
10. Drak sa vracia | Dragon's Return (1968) Czechoslovakia
11. Niewinni czarodzieje | Innocent Sorcerers (1960) Poland
12. Wrony | Crows (1994) Poland
13. Pora umierac | Time to die (2007) Poland

Bonus Challenge Progress

1930s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1940s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1950s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1960s
Czechoslovakia - 4
Hungary - 2
Poland - 2

1970s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1980s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 2

1990s
Czechia - 0
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 1
Slovakia - 0

2000s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 1
Slovakia - 0

2010s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 1
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2020s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

[maxwelldeux]

1000 < 400 Czechs

1. Carriage to Vienna (1966, Czechoslovakia)
2. The Double Life of Véronique (1991, Poland)

3. Shorts (83m)
The Flat (1968, Czechoslovakia, 13m)
Down to the Cellar (1983, Czechoslovakia, 15m)
Joseph Killian (1963, Czechoslovakia, 38m)
Food (1992, Czechia, 17m)

A run of mostly Svankmajer shorts, the most interesting of which was Food (eligible for the 1992 poll - year was updated on IMDB and is now reflected on ICM). Favorite part was when I thought "those lemons look like boobs" and then they got squeezed onto boobs.

[VincentPrice]

3. I Like Bats-1986: 7/10

Spoiler

1. Defekt-1977: 8/10
2. 1-2009: 7/10

[DudeLanez]

3. Invention for Destruction (1958, Karel Zeman) 6,5/10 #Czechoslovakia
4. Ikarie XB 1 (1963, Jindrich Polák) 6,5/10 #Czechoslovakia
5. Tomorrow I'll Wake Up and Scald Myself with Tea (1977, Jindrich Polák) 5/10 #Czechoslovakia

CZE: 3 / POL: 2 / HUN: 0 / SVK: 0

1. Passenger (1963, Munk/Lesiewicz) 6,5/10 #Poland
2. Afterimage (2016, Andrzej Wajda) 8/10 #Poland
3. Invention for Destruction (1958, Karel Zeman) 6,5/10 #Czechoslovakia
4. Ikarie XB 1 (1963, Jindrich Polák) 6,5/10 #Czechoslovakia
5. Tomorrow I'll Wake Up and Scald Myself with Tea (1977, Jindrich Polák) 5/10 #Czechoslovakia

[peeptoad]

6. Baron Prásil/The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962, Czechoslovakia) 8
7. Cerný Petr/Black Peter (1964, Czechoslovakia) 7+

widziany!

1. Le golem (1936, Czechoslovakia) 6
2. Lokis. Rękopis profesora Wittembacha (1970, Poland) 7
3. Cien (1956, Poland) 8
4. Cesta do praveku/Journey to the Beginning of Time (1955, Czechoslovakia) 7
5. Vynález zkázy/Invention for Destruction (1958, Czechoslovakia) 8

[airdolll]

14. Tízezer nap | Ten Thousand Days (1967) Hungary

Post-revolution disillusionment peasantry epic. The compositions are stunning, shooting wide landscapes that match a "bigger than oneself" theme. Every individual configures a piece of a bigger machinery as social change and modernization takes place in the span of these ten thousand days.



15. János vitéz | Johnny Corncob (1973) Hungary

So colorful and fluid. Can't say I was very invested in the story but it's just really nice to look at.

Watched films

1. Dekalog V (1989) Poland (57 min) + Dekalog VI (1989) Poland (58 min)
2. Dekalog VII (1989) Poland (55 min)
3. Baron Prásil | The Fabulous Baron Munchausen (1962) Czechoslovakia
4. Liza, a rókatündér | Liza the Fox-Fairy (2015) Hungary
5. Boxer a smrt | The Boxer and Death (1963) Czechoslovakia
6. Swiadectwo urodzenia | Birth Certificate (1961) Poland
7. ...a pátý jezdec je Strach | ...and the Fifth Horseman Is Fear (1962) Czechoslovakia
8. Eltávozott nap | The Girl (1968) Hungary
9. Apa | Father (1966) Hungary
10. Drak sa vracia | Dragon's Return (1968) Czechoslovakia
11. Niewinni czarodzieje | Innocent Sorcerers (1960) Poland
12. Wrony | Crows (1994) Poland
13. Pora umierac | Time to die (2007) Poland
14. Tízezer nap | Ten Thousand Days (1967) Hungary
15. János vitéz | Johnny Corncob (1973) Hungary

Bonus Challenge Progress

1930s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1940s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1950s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0

1960s
Czechoslovakia - 4
Hungary - 3
Poland - 2

1970s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 1
Poland - 0

1980s
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 2

1990s
Czechia - 0
Czechoslovakia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 1
Slovakia - 0

2000s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 1
Slovakia - 0

2010s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 1
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0

2020s
Czechia - 0
Hungary - 0
Poland - 0
Slovakia - 0