The Country Teacher (2008) Venkovský ucitel (original title)

Director:

Bohdan Sláma

Writer:

Bohdan Sláma (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 March 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Petr, youthful, quiet, and sensitive, comes from Prague to teach natural science in a country town....

Plot Keywords:

Unrequited Love | Roll In The Hay | Czech Republic | Teacher Student Relationship | Haystack

Awards:

6 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Pavel Liska	...	Teacher
Zuzana Bydzovská	...	Marie
Ladislav Sedivý	...	Boy
Marek Daniel	...	Boyfriend
Tereza Vorísková	...	Beruska
Cyril Drozda	...	Headmaster
Marie Ludvíková	...	Headmaster's wife
Zuzana Krónerová	...	Mother
Miroslav Krobot	...	Father
Zdena Kucerová	...	Granny
Miloslav Vokatý	...	Jozin
Jaroslav Vlcek	...	Jarda
Frantisek Prosek	...	Brother #1
Josef Prosek	...	Brother #2
Anna Vladyková	...	Landlady
Pavel Vladyka	...	Innholder
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vojtech Kotek	...	Classmate (uncredited)

Directed by
Bohdan Sláma

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Bohdan Sláma		screenplay

Produced by
Karl Baumgartner	....	producer
Pascal Caucheteux	....	co-producer
Thanassis Karathanos	....	producer
Petr Oukropec	....	producer
Pavel Strnad	....	producer
Joana Vogdt	....	assistant producer

Original Music by
Vladimír Godár

Cinematography by
Divis Marek

Film Editing by
Jan Danhel

Production Design by
Martin Micka
Václav Novák
Petr Pistek

Costume Design by
Zuzana Krejzková

Makeup Department
Veronika Riehs	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Pavel Cechak	....	production manager
Thomas Král	....	production manager: Germany

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Petr Samec	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Karina Lange	....	art director: Germany

Sound Department
Jan Cenek	....	sound
Alex Hudd	....	sound consultant: dolby
Peter Klinkenberg	....	foley artist
Stephan Konken	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael Mícek	....	boom operator
Thomas Neumann	....	sound designer
Michaela Patríková	....	boom operator
Marcel Schleibaum	....	foley recordist
Sebastian Schmidt	....	sound designer

Camera and Electrical Department
David Dolnik	....	second assistant camera
Petr Dvorak	....	electrician

Editorial Department
Kristián Suda	....	commissioning editor: Czech TV

Other crew
Guillermo J. Deisler	....	production coordinator: Germany
Martin Hampel	....	production assistant
Christoph Kukula	....	production coordinator
Oliver Rebling	....	production accountant: Germany
Martina Reková	....	public relations

Production Companies

• Negativ
• Pallas Film
• Ceská Televize
• Why Not Productions

Distributors

• Asociácia slovenských filmových klubov (ASFK) (2008) (Slovakia) (theatrical)
• Bontonfilm (2008) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Film Movement (2009) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Filmware International (2009) (Taiwan) (theatrical)
• Magyarhangya (2010) (Hungary) (theatrical)
• Memento Films (2009) (France) (theatrical)
• Neue Visionen Filmverleih (2009) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Wild Bunch Benelux (2009) (Netherlands) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Arri Rental  camera equipment provided by
• Arri Rental  grip and lighting equipment
• Bystrouska  sound post-production (sound equipment provided by)
• Vantage Film  cameras and lenses provided by

Also Known As:

"Venkovský ucitel" - Czech Republic (original title)

Runtime:

Czech Republic:117 min | Canada:113 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:103 min | Argentina:113 min (Pantalla Pinamar Festival)

Country:

Czech Republic | France | Germany

Language:

Czech

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Czech Republic:15 | Netherlands:12 | USA:Unrated | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/16

Company:

Negativ

Excellent movie

So I've just seen the movie and am really amazed. Slama has done it again. I am Czech and I must admit that I am very displeased with Czech cinematography of the last decade. Czech producers and directors make the same rubbish over and over again. I focus only on Slama as in my opinion he is the only exception. He proved himself to be the best we have now.

I absolutely loved his previous movie Stesti and I had very high anticipation concerning his new one - Venkovsky ucitel - The Country Teacher. And my expectations were fulfilled.

The movie is in some way similar to the previous one, not only in the choice of actors but also in the structure. The movie is pure drama around one man, but in fact there are three main characters and minor ones. Slama is very good in building the scenes and describing the characters. He introduces the key ones, shows us the surroundings and than he starts to develop the story he wants. He cultivates the characters and plays with the theme of the picture.

I don't want to go into details about the story. Watch for yourself, it 's very strong and very touching.

Throughout the whole movie I was amazed (again) by Slama's very subtle but in a way strong directing. Also the cinematography is perfect. All the actors did a great job and I haven't seen such good performances for a long time (certainly not in Czech movies).

All in all I was very impressed by the story, acting and directing. As far as I am concerned - Slama is still on the top.

If nevertheless should I say something negative I would have probably one thing - in the first half, maybe third, of the movie the editing seemed to me somehow "discontinuous". Like some cuts were a little bit too rash. But it was just my little feeling.

I definitely recommend this movie. Very good and deep drama and top- notch movie making.