Vojtěch, Called Orphan

Country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1989

Production year

1989

Premiere

1 October 1990

Runtime

80 min

Director

Zdeněk Tyc

Genre

ballad

Typology

featuretheatrical distributionstudent filmlong

Original title

Vojtěch, řečený sirotek

Czech title

Vojtěch, řečený sirotek

English title

Vojtěch, Called Orphan

Summary

The inevitability of transformation in the “regime change” year of 1989 was not only affirmed by the Velvet Revolution; confirmation also came from this black-and-white, ballad-like feature which marked the debut of three gifted students at Prague’s FAMU film school. These were director Zdeněk Tyc, script editor and screenwriter Jiří Soukup, and cameraman Jaromír Kačer. They take equal shares of the credit for creating such a movie. However, the conception of what was initially a student project was also influenced by script editor Ivan Arsenjev. Vojtěch, řečený sirotek (Vojtěch, Called Orphan) expressed a desire to return to the artistic and moral imperatives of the Czechoslovak New Wave; at the same time, it convincingly demonstrated the creative potential of a new generation that had not been allowed to succeed under the censorship of socialist cinematography. In the following years, it turned out that the “free” post-revolution era would be characterised by commercial considerations that would subordinate artistic films to the reality of the demand for large audiences and revenue. However, in the following decades, the creators of Vojtěch, zvaný sirotek remained – each in his own way, more or less – true to their ideals…. In their deeply inward manner, the creators returned to the poetics of the 1960s. Their story celebrates the natural but ultimately also self-destructive individual rebellion against the established order, whether embodied in representatives of the official judicial system or thieves – poachers. Vojtěch adheres to basic human values without regard to any system; however, he is unable to cope with the norms of society. The insecure hero experiences harmony only when in contact with nature. Still, he perceives socialisation as a necessity, at least while deciding between two women – the mature widow Blaženka and the young, sickly student Anežka. Yet the story of the freethinking loner can scarcely end in anything but tragedy. Petr Froman plays the leading role in this original feature, which enchanted audiences with its captivating visuals.

Synopsis

1946: Vojtěch, who killed an innocent man out of drunkeness and foolishness with his friend Lojza and took the blame on himself, is released from prison and enjoys the newly acquired freedom. He sets off to his favourite land of ponds and, on his wanderings, relishes the countryside, the meadows, the rain Stranger: The man enters a village pub and unfortunately wittnesses the arrival of Lojza who is unpleasantly surprised by Vojtěch's return. They get drunk together. Vojtěch then breaks into the farmstead of the widow named Blaena. The woman is stern with him at first but then reconciles with him and the two eventually become lovers. Vojtěch meets Aneka who recovered from a severe illness and wants to recuperate in the countryside. The young man dares to kiss her. He receives the work of a water bailiff from an administrator. Spindlelegs (Poachers): The happy Vojtěch drives around his domain in a boat and his heart cannot be softened when asked to participate in the poachers' thefts. But his intransigence only earns him animosity from the locals. Three Women (At a Farm): Vojtěch enjoys his happy moments with Blaena but is increasingly attracted to Aneka. He even tells her about his and Lojza's crime. He is visited by his sister Marie. She once dated Lojza who, however, married another woman. Marie vainly tries to convince her brother to leave with her. Vojtěch is confused by his emotions towards the two women and almost violates Aneka in a barn. Gall: The poachers escalate their provocations. Vojtěch leaves Blaena as well as his work where he gives an immediate notice. Aneka: Vojtěch and Aneka meet in a meadow. They become lovers and spend a fascinating night together. But the poachers' hostility never sleeps. They drain the water from the pond and catch the fish in nets. When Vojtěch stands up against them, Choura, Venca and Lojza drown him. The water surface conceals a crime and two lonesome women vainly wait for happiness to come.