Karel Hynek Mácha

The name of filmmaker Zet Molas is often hidden under a layer of cheap interpretations of her fate. One of the debts that Czech culture had to her was the introduction of Karel Hynek Mácha. The last time this happened was 25 years ago and it is happening again now. Mácha was put into the company of Milan Rastislav Štefánik, Karel Havlíček Borovský and Saint Wenceslas. If older Czech biographical films, at least during the period of Statehood, are thereby classified in this way, they can be better accepted as a valid part of the national consciousness. This film, which is based on Emil Synek's play "Mimo proud," is an excellent historical drama describing the last period of the poet's life. Ladislav Boháč took on (his first) leading role with a rebellious energy all his own. He really was going to go against the current. While Boháč's character Mácha is brimming with defiance, Oličová's Lori has the second solo, giving a hint of a talent that has been used only minimally in Czech cinema. In contrast to these two great roles, the others only complete the contemporary panopticon of kindred or contradictory souls. Eva Gerová rather uncharacteristically plays the role of Lori's compassionate sister, Světla Svozilová slowly prepares for her journey with her last stint, and Vítězslav Vejražka makes his debut and František Kreuzmann maintains his high standard. Zet Molas managed to turn Karel Hynek Mácha into a mature, world-class film, which today forms an excellent intersection between Karel Anton's adaptation of Gypsies and Brabec's May. (28/09/2010)