3x Peter Solan
d. Peter Solan, Czechoslovakia, 1956, 1962, 1965, 95 + 102 + 86 min.
The Devil Never Sleeps (1956)
This film is composed of three separate satirical stories written by Slovak playwright Peter Karvaš – The Sad Cadre, An Exemplary Case, and Generous Campaign. In a very humorous and poignant way, it reveals and challenges the shortcomings of contemporary society. The three parts are connected by the motive of an approval committee that watches the film in order to issue its eventual approval or, on the contrary, its disapproval of the film´s distribution in cinemas. The committee members, who recognize themselves in the characters on the screen, voice their comments during the intermissions between the screenings.
The Boxer and Death (1962)
Concentration camp commander Kraft finds out that prisoner Komínek is a former professional boxer. The prisoner is made Kraft´s exercise partner and unwillingly rises to a privileged position at the camp. His anger over the death of his friend and co-prisoner leads to open revolt.
Before Tonight Is Over (1965)
The female clerks enjoying a few carefree days, two plumbers looking for an erotic advanture, a building contractor spending his workers´ wages and an alcoholic, a former major, meet in a bar. A single night reveals the illusion and disappointments of "average" people.
Synopsis
A screen adaptation of drama The Shepherd’s Wife by Ivan Stodola, capturing the hard life of Slovak emigrants in the times of political and social oppression before the beginning of World War I. Young shepherd Ondrej Muranica flees the tyranny of Hungarian landowners to far away America. But a mining accident destroys his dreams and hopes of a better and fairer life. Ondrej suffers from amnesia and back home, he is pronounced dead. When he returns to his homeland years later, he learns that his wife had married his best friend.
Directed by
M
Screenplay
P
Director of photography
V
Music
Editor
J
Cast
P
Technical information