30/5 — 5/6/2024
64th International Film Festival
for Children and Youth

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Section: Literature in Film - Classics

The Joke (1968) 15

Czechoslovakia | 1968 | 79 min.

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.

CountryCzechoslovakia
Year1968
Duration79 min
Rating15
LanguageCzech
SubtitleEnglish
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.

Human Rights, Literature, Politics, Freedom, Relationships

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