...And What Now, Gentlemen?
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1987Production year
1987Premiere
1 August 1988Runtime
84 minDirector
Karel KachyňaCategory
filmGenre
comedyTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Kam, pánové, kam jdete?Czech title
Kam, pánové, kam jdete?English title
...And What Now, Gentlemen?Summary
In his film Kam, pánové, kam jdete? (...And What Now, Gentlemen?, 1987), director Karel Kachyňa attempted to show the contemporary crisis of “real socialism” in the mirror of a typical male midlife crisis, as experienced by the main protagonist, 42-year-old Prague architect Jan Kolvara. Screenwriter Milan Ležák chose the traditional long-distance march from Prague to Prčice as the setting for Kolvara’s internal transformation. The architect sets off on the march armed with city shoes and a steely determination. As his strength wanes he contemplates radical ways to settle scores with his manipulative boss Crha (Oldřich Vlach) and his estranged wife Madla (Soňa Valentová)... Seasoned director Kachyňa chose Karel Heřmánek for the lead role following previous collaborations in photography-themed drama Dobré světlo (A Good Light, 1985) and in an adaptation of Ota Pavel’s novel Smrt krásných srnců (The Death of the Beautiful Deer, 1986). The part of young draughtswoman Eliška, inescapably attracting Kolvara’s attention, was given to Miroslava Pleštilová. Jazz lovers may appreciate the film’s soundtrack which was heavily influenced by Miles Davis.
Synopsis
After a row with his wife, Madla, forty year old architect Jan Kolvara sets off for a long distance walk in casual dress and light shoes. On the walk he meets his younger colleague Robert, together with his girl-friend, the draughtswoman, Elika and his boss, Crha, and an ambitious colleague, árka. Some time ago Crha offered to Jan and Robert to work out a project for a rehabilitation sanatorium. He hoped they would refuse and he could give this job to his lover, árka. But both designers adapted a villa for a handicapped lady some time ago and thus they accepted this job. During the walk, Jan recalls memories of his children and wife. At the 38th kilometre, he recalls the sad destiny of his project for a village firehouse. Madla catches up to her husband by car, but she is jealous of Elika. They fight again and Madla leaves. She comes back with the children and is waiting at the 63rd kilometre. The wretched Jan continues walking and he recalls happily how they worked on the sanatorium project design. But Crha deceived them and presented árka's unsatisfactory project to the investor. At the 85th kilometre, Jan's stamina is gone. Crha and árka hypocritically offer him help. But Jan cuffs his boss and, despite his tiredness, is even hunting him in the field in front of Robert, Elika, and Madla. Crha promises that he will push through their project. Jan sets off further with a will to reach the end of the walk.
Film online
Photos
Cast
Karel Heřmánek
architekt Jan Kolvara
Soňa Valentová
Voice by Dana Syslová
Madla, Kolvarova žena
Miroslava Pleštilová
kreslička Eliška Roubová
Zuzana Geislerová
Šárka Vaňková, Kolvarova kolegyně
Oldřich Vlach
Vladimír Crha, Kolvarův šéf
Antonín Procházka
Robert, Eliščin přítel
Václav Babka
stavební mistr Pešta
Alena Kreuzmannová
Marie, Peštova invalidní žena
Ivan Vyskočil
starý turista
Dora Boková
Janina, dcera Kolvarových
Michal Krb
Honza, syn Kolvarových
Blanka Lormanová
zdravotní sestra
Adolf Kohuth
Ing. Líbal, zástupce investora
Petr Skarke
Ing. Bártek, zástupce dodavatele
Ivan Řezáč
reportér
Ladislav Gerendáš
číšník
Karel Hábl
lékař-kardiolog
Vladimír Salač
lékař-kardiolog v televizi
Lena Birková
uklízečka Švábová
Daniela Bakerová
učitelka
Jiří Patočka
turista Krakonoš
Eliška Nejedlá
turistka
Jan Kotva
odpadlík
Barbora Lukešová
studentka
Igor Smržík
turista
Radovan Versigan
jogín
V. Kašík
jogín
Markéta Světlíková
zdravotní sestra
Šárka Štembergová
starší žena na rockovém koncertě
Jan Cmíral
pořadatel
Miroslav Grác
pořadatel
Bohumil Koška
pořadatel
Miroslav Krejča
pořadatel
Miroslav Imrich
zpěvák
Zdeněk Juračka
člen hudební skupiny
František Kotva
člen hudební skupiny
Ota Baláž
člen hudební skupiny
Jaroslav Vondrák
člen hudební skupiny
Jiří Novotný
člen hudební skupiny
Alena Jánská
dlouhá dívka
Slávka Hamouzová
důchodkyně
Jaroslav Tomsa
dubl za Karla Heřmánka
Crew and creators
Director
Second Unit Director
Zeno Dostál, Stanislava Hutková
Assistant Director
Bára Jelínková
Continuity
Screenplay
Dramaturg
Director of Photography
Second Unit Photography
Camera Operator
Production Designer
Assistent Production Designer
Set Designer
Jiří Forst, Jan Huptych, Karel Plaňanský, Milan Šilha
Costume Designer
Costumes
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Assistant Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Unit Production Manager
Unit Production Manager
Luboš Čížek, Gabriela Kerekešová
Cooperation
Irena Strachová (klapka), Karel Ješátko (fotograf), Vladimír Mertlík, skupina Tango, Jan Zajíček (2)
Music
Music Composed by
Music Performed by
skupina Tango, Kvartet Milana Svobody
Songs
Co s tím sklem
Song Composer Miroslav Imrich
Writer of Lyrics Pavel Zeman
Singer Miroslav Imrich
Když jsme táhli k Jaroměři
Singer Karel Heřmánek
Karel nese čaj
Song Composer Michael Kocáb
Writer of Lyrics Michal Bukovič
Singer Jiří KornVilém Čok
Když člověk přichází do let /valčík z operety Líbánky komtesy Lucky/
Song Composer Jaroslav Jankovec
Writer of Lyrics Jaroslav MottlKarel Melíšek
Singer Ivan Vyskočil
Production info
Original Title
Kam, pánové, kam jdete?
Czech Title
Kam, pánové, kam jdete?
English Title
...And What Now, Gentlemen?
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
comedy
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1987
Production Year
1987
Premiere
premiere 1 August 1988 /unsuitable for youths/
Production
Copyright Holders
Distribution
Creative Group
4. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupina, Marcela Pittermannová (vedoucí 4. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupiny)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
84 min
Original length in metres
2 389 meters
Distribution carrier
16mm, 35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
colour
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
mono
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
Awards
Vítěz
Event: Prémie Českého literárního fondu
1988
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Milan Ležák
