online catalogueFeature Films for Grown-ups

The Red Turtle

Michael Dudok de Wit | France, Belgium, Japan | 2016 | 80 min

Appropriate for children over 8

This feature debut of the renowned Dutch director Michaël Dudok de Wit is a very unusual film for contemporary cinema. It expresses itself (much like the director’s short films) only through images and touching music. In a slowly unfolding story, we watch an unknown castaway stranded on a desert island inhabited only by animals. Our hero gradually unravels the mysteries of the island and, in particular, its fauna. Even though it seems that he is on an abandoned island with no traces of human civilization, his fate is a universal metaphor for all the decisive moments in human life. This magical film about getting to know oneself, parenthood, generation exchange, and the relation of man and nature, was the first film of the famous Studio Ghibli made outside of Japan. But just like Miyazaki’s films, it boasts elaborate 2D animation and a magical ethereal atmosphere clear of any references to a particular period of time or nationality.

Tu 02/05/2017
15.00-16.20
free seats: 51
Světozor Cinema

Fr 05/05/2017
16.30-17.50
Roháč - ČT Hall

Sa 06/05/2017
20.00-21.20
Aurora Cinema

Nerdland

Chris Prynoski | United States | 2016 | 83 min

Up until now, American director Chris Prynoski’s domain was the world of television and serials. In his feature debut set in the contemporary USA, two failures turned 30, Elliot and John, are trying to become famous, no matter the cost. They come up with the most bizarre ways to make it into the spotlight. They crave for a world where being famous means having all they want: beautiful women and a bottomless bank account. All their endeavours are by definition doomed to fail and as their plans radicalize, the damages they cause escalate with them. The absurdity of the situations results in comical scenes but is also a critical poke at the current mood of (not only) American society.
 The artistic style of the film is reminiscent of American television series. It’s interesting that that the concept of the story was originally pitched by screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en, 8mm, Sleepy Hollow) who intended to make it as a live-action film.

Tu 02/05/2017
20.30-21.53
free seats: 74
Světozor Cinema

Fr 05/05/2017
21.00-22.23
free seats: 0
Světozor Cinema

Ethel and Ernest

Roger Mainwood | United Kingdom, Luxembourg | 2016 | 94 min

Based on the 1998 book by the acclaimed British author and illustrator, this hand-drawn, animated feature film tells the true story of Raymond’s parents – Ethel and Ernest – two ordinary Londoners living through a period of extraordinary events and immense social change.
Humorous and bittersweet, the film follows the lives of lady’s maid Ethel and milkman Ernest from their first chance meeting in 1928, through the birth of their son Raymond in 1934, to their deaths, within months of each other, in 1971.
From the socially stratified 1920s to the moon landing of 1969, the film depicts, through Ethel and Ernest’s eyes, the most defining moments of the 20th century: the darkness of the Great Depression, the build up to World War II, the trials of the war years, the euphoria of VE Day and the emergence of a generation from post war austerity to the cultural enlightenment of the 1960s. To correspond with the story reflecting an enclosed historical period, the authors have chosen to take a conservative approach to the animation method and storytelling. The film can, however, captivate the viewers and take them to a faithfully depicted 20th century Britain where they will witness the troubled lives of the heroes.

We 03/05/2017
18.30-20.04
free seats: 239
J. K. Tyl Theatre

Sa 06/05/2017
14.00-15.34
free seats: 49
J. K. Tyl Theatre

My Entire High School Sinking into The Sea

Dash Shaw | United States | 2016 | 77 min

Director Dash Shaw has adapted one of his graphic novels into his feature film debut. The film is a peculiar collage of artistic styles and film genres. Techniques of catastrophic films mingle with a high school comedy and a satire on blockbusters.
Dash and his best friend Assaf are preparing for another year at Tides High School, muckraking on behalf of their widely-distributed but little-read school newspaper, edited by their friend Verti. But just when a blossoming relationship between Assaf and Verti threatens to destroy the boys’ friendship, Dash learns of the administration’s cover-up that puts all the students in danger. As disaster strikes and the friends race to escape through the roof of the school, they are joined by a popular know-it-all and a lunch lady who is much more than meets the eye. But even as the film piles on details like a post-apocalyptic cult formed by jocks, video game homages, and an infectious synth soundtrack, it never loses sight of the characters at the heart of the story. The film’s everyday concerns of friendships, cliques and young love remind us of how the high school experience continues to shape who we become, even in the most unusual of circumstances.
Teenage characters are voiced by Hollywood stars such as Jason Schwartzman, Lena Dunham and Susan Sarandon.

Th 04/05/2017
13.00-14.17
free seats: 215
J. K. Tyl Theatre

Sa 06/05/2017
20.00-21.17
free seats: 229
J. K. Tyl Theatre

Louise by the Shore

Jean-François Laguionie | France, Canada | 2016 | 75 min

On the last day of summer, Louise realizes that the last train has left without her. She ends up alone in the deserted streets of a small seaside resort town, abandoned by everyone. The weather quickly turns for the worse, followed by the seasonal tides. Louise takes her abandonment as a challenge. She builds herself a cabin on the shore, discovering at the age of 75 a Robinson Crusoe-like life, and realizes that she is more resistant and resourceful than she could have ever imagined. An old dog, Pepper, comes to share Louise’s meals and accompany her.
Why haven’t the vacationers come back for Christmas or Easter? Even the helicopter that flies over the shore from time to time has gone missing! Is it because of the seasonal tides? Has she been punished? This idea provokes strange dreams. Childhood memories rise to the surface and seize the opportunity to join in the adventure: Louise, age eight, has been left with her grandmother! Why?
A great cliff, in the distance, seems to hold the key to her long lost memories. The trip she takes with Pepper is a new adventure that will bring more of her forgotten past back to her: Louise at eighteen with her two sweethearts and the little dramas of her teenage years. Once back at their cabin, they return to their daily lives. The vacationers return in July; Louise has decided she won’t ask herself any more questions…

Th 04/05/2017
19.30-20.45
free seats: 0
Světozor Cinema

Sa 06/05/2017
10.00-11.15
free seats: 0
Světozor Cinema