Divoké vcely
Czech Republic,
2001, 94 min
Shown in 2002
CREDITS
- dir
-
Bhodan Sláma
- prod
-
Viktor Schwarcz, Alice Nemanská, Helena Slaviková
- scr
-
Bhodan Sláma
- cam
-
Divis Marek
- editor
-
Jan Danhel
- mus
-
Miroslav Simácek
- cast
-
Tatiana Vilhelmová, Zdenek Rauser, Pavel Liska, Vanda Hybnerová, Marek Daniel, Jaroslav Dusek
- source
-
Czech Television, Kavcí hory, Prague 4 CZ140 70, Czech Republic. FAX: 420-2-6121-1354 or 420-2-6113-9070. EMAIL: jitka.prochozkova@czechtv.cz
- premiere
-
North American Premiere
-
COMMENTS
Skyy Prize winner. Bhodan Sláma in person.
OTHER
The end of communism has brought the inhabitants of a Moravian village microwave ovens and Michael Jackson, but happiness proves harder to attain. Director Bohdan Sláma sensitively and realistically presents the dreams and frustrations of a group of young small-town Czechs, all grown up with no place to go, in this engaging coming-of-age feature. While the older generation soothes the pain of unrealized dreams with drink, gambling and adultery, their children still believe in the possibility of a better life. Shy, bumbling Kaja secretly loves free spirit Bozhka, who dates Michael Jackson–loving Ladya. When Kaja’s brother Petr returns from school in Prague, his presence inspires Kaja and his friends to reassess their lives. Does happiness wait in the big city, or are they just as likely to find it in their own village? While dealing with gloomy themes, The Wild Bees is anything but a tragedy, as the characters find humor and even a perverse optimism in their situation. A scene where Ladya, dressed as the King of Pop, prepares to perform for the villagers is deliciously funny, yet tinged with a tender sadness. Sláma not only loves his characters, he respects them—and audiences will too.
—Jennie Yabroff
FACTOID #73
James Wong Howe was the first cinematographer to receive a tribute at the Festival, October 19, 1974. The legendary lenser photographed such classics as The Thin Man, Pursued, Sweet Smell of Success and Hud.
