Why?

Country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1964

Production year

1964

Runtime

28 min

Category

film

Genre

inquiry

Typology

documentarytheatrical distributionshort

Original title

Proč?

Czech title

Proč?

English title

Why?

Working title

Sebevrazi

Summary

A cinéma verité film inquiry made by Evald Schorm to find out the causes of the low birth rate in Czechoslovakia. It authentically captures the spontaneous reactions of the interviewees as well as the general mood in the moment and living conditions, especially for young people. Thanks to answers to questions the people of Prague are given in the streets, workplaces or homes, the film reveals several reasons for the declining number of new births and the increasing number of abortions. In this way the film highlights the problems of housing shortages at the time, low wages, overworked mothers, and the lack of pre-school facilities that made it difficult to start large families.

Synopsis

Couples of young newlyweds walk out of the Old Town Hall in Prague. When asked by a reporter how many children they want to have, they optimistically answer that they want two, three or four. This is contradicted by figures on the decline in the birth rate in Czechoslovakia. So why don't people have children, the reporter asks in the streets, in shops, workplaces, kindergartens and retirement homes. Answers vary, some believe it is because of the selfishness and comfort, others blame a shortage of housing, female employment, low salaries for men, or the low capacity of pre-school facilities. In one overcrowded apartment, seven relatives live in two rooms. Busy morning for a young mother of two whose working day lasts eighteen hours. The situation of the couple who have just had a baby is complicated. The wife, however, must start working to pay off the apartment. Immature couples who have married because of an unplanned pregnancy apply for divorce in court. The members of the abortion committee and the gynaecologist performing the abortions give the reasons that make women to have an abortion. Women who want children but cannot have them because of health reasons also testify. The reporter continues to interview newlyweds. The young people are convinced that they will overcome any obstacles without any problems.

Film online

Commentary

Performed by

Crew and creators

Screenstory

Evald Schorm

Commentary by

Evald Schorm

Director of Photography

Jan Špáta, Evald Schorm

Film Editor

Josef Pejsar

Sound Designer

Antonín Kleisner

Production Manager

Máša Charouzdová

Consultant

JUDr. Jiří Prokopec, MUDr. Zdeněk Najmr, MUDr. Stanislav Franz

Locations

Praha

Production info

Original Title

Proč?

Czech Title

Proč?

English Title

Why?

Working Title

Sebevrazi

Category

film

Typology

documentarytheatrical distribution

Genre

inquiry

Origin country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1964

Production Year

1964

Production specifications

projection approval 2 April 1964

Premiere

premiere 1964 /suitable for youths/

Distribution slogan

no caption

Copyright Holders

Národní filmový archiv

Technical info

Duration typology

short film

Duration in minutes

28 min

Original length in metres

815 meters

Distribution carrier

16mm, 35mm

Aspect ratio

1:1,37

Colour

black & white

Sound

sound

Sound system/format

mono

Versions

Czech

Dialogue languages

Czech

Subtitles languages

without subtitles

Opening/End credits languages

Czech

Awards

Vítěz

Event: Umělecká soutěž k 20. výročí osvobození Československa

1965
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Evald Schorm

Vítěz

Exhibition: 2. setkání krátkého filmu s pražskými pracujícími

1964
Praha / Czechoslovakia

Vítěz

Event: Ceny Trilobit 1963

1964
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Evald Schorm

Vítěz

Exhibition: 2. setkání krátkého filmu s pražskými pracujícími

1964
Praha / Czechoslovakia

Vítěz

Exhibition: 5. dny krátkého filmu Karlovy Vary

1964
Karlovy Vary / Czechoslovakia
Evald Schorm

Vítěz

Event: Ceny primátora hlavního města Prahy

1964
Praha / Czechoslovakia

Vítěz

Event: Ceny Trilobit 1963

1964
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Jan Špáta