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Section: Literature in Film - Classics
The Joke (1968)
After 15 years, Ludvík Jahn still hasn't overcome the consequences of a joke postcard with anti-state sentiments he sent his girlfriend in the 1950s; this led to his expulsion from university and mandatory service as a class enemy in a criminal military unit. He is on the verge of getting revenge on a professor who helped cause this difficult situation. During a village festival, he seduces the professor's wife, a radio editor. His "victory", however, has a strong bitter taste.
| Country | Czechoslovakia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968 |
| Duration | 79 min |
| Rating | 15 |
| Language | Czech |
| Subtitle | English |
| Directed by | Jaromil Jireš |
| Screenplay | Jaromil Jireš, Milan Kundera |
| Director of Photography | Jan Čuřík |
| Music | Zdeněk Pololáník, Jan Seidel |
| Edited by | Josef Valušiak |
| Contact | Národní filmový archiv |
Biography
A Czech film director and screenwriter. His works include, e.g., The Joke (Žert, 1968) and The Dance Teacher (Učitel tance, 1994). He took part in the short film Pearls of the Deep (Perličky na dně, 1965), and made many short films, documentaries and TV films.