Babí léto (2001)

Director:

Vladimír Michálek

Writers:

Jirí Hubac (story)
Jirí Hubac (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 May 2002 (Slovakia)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Tagline:

A comedy for the ages.

Plot:

Terminal prankster Frantisek Hána refuses to grow up and take certain responsibilities, despite his wife Emilie's constant badgering to do so...

Awards:

8 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Vlastimil Brodský	...	Frantisek Hána
Stella Zázvorková	...	Emílie Hánová
Stanislav Zindulka	...	Eda
Ondrej Vetchý	...	Jára Hána
Petra Spalková	...	Králová
Jirí Lábus	...	Estate agent
Zita Kabátová	...	Maruska Grulichová
Katerina Pindejová	...	Judge
Lubomír Kostelka	...	Vondrácek
Juraj Johanides	...	Dr. Rysavý
Zuzana Fialová	...	Erna
Simona Stasová	...	Marcela
Magdalena Sidonová	...	Marcela
Vlastimil Zavrel	...	Hlavatý
Martin Sitta	...	Král

Also Known As:

Autumn Spring (USA) (festival title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Czech Republic

Language:

Czech

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-3 | Germany:o.Al. | Singapore:PG | USA:PG-13 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Prague, Czech Republic

Company:

BKP Film

Quotes:

[first lines]
Frantisek Hána: [upon visiting a mansion] Very shabby.

Excellent screenplay enables fine actor to depart gloriously

Renowned Czech actor Vlastimil Brodský, mostly known in North America for his leading role as Jacob in the original Est German/Czech production of Jacob the Liar (Jakob, der Lügner 1974) gives us a last brilliant performance as a 80 year old prankster who refuses to admit that he is about to die.

Jirí Hubac's screenplay is exquisite. Funny, moving and well-developed. It explores well both the subject of advanced old age and the motivations of characters that are precariously strong and fragile, happy and unsettled.

Frantisek (Vlastimil Brodský) and his best friend Eda (Stanislav Zindulka) are up to all types of shenanigans and are making sure to make the best out of their dying days. Meanwhile, Frantisek's wife is preparing for their death, saving up for funeral money and chastising Frantisek for his endless childishness and irresponsible attitude. Their son is about to take their apartment over and put them into a retirement home, but Frantisek doesn't want to hear any of that. He wants to enjoy life and make people around him laugh. He wants to help and love and give... but at what cost?

Sure to captivate adults of all ages, this fine piece of film by talented director Vladimír Michálek is both touching and funny. It makes you think of how we live our lives and why we live our lives. It brings the simple story of a charming stubborn old man to the forefront and allow us to reflect and feel what life is all about.

After an active career lasting more than 40 years, it is somewhat sombre to know that Vlastimil Brodsk died in April 2002, no longer in the grip of terminal cancer. It is however uplifting to think that he had the chance to be a part of such a moving script and to be the catalyst of this ode to joyful old age that has not even started to make the waves it is about to create in North American repertoire cinema.

After the international success of Jan Hrebejk's "Divided We Fall (2000)", it is starting to be clear that Czech cinema has indeed something to offer to the world. This film at least is a must see.