Poupata (2011)

Flower Buds tells the story of the gradual breakdown of a family living in a small town. Each character lives according to his or her own ideals. Agata wants a happy life far from home, ... See full summary »

Director:

Zdenek Jirasky

Writer:

Zdenek Jirasky (screenplay)

Stars:

Vladimír Javorský, Malgorzata Pikus, Marika Soposká

7 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Vladimír Javorský	...	Jarda
Malgorzata Pikus	...	Kamila
Marika Soposká	...	Agáta
Miroslav Pánek	...	Honza
Natálie Rehorová	...	Magda
Aneta Krejcíková	...	Zuzana

Storyline

Flower Buds tells the story of the gradual breakdown of a family living in a small town. Each character lives according to his or her own ideals. Agata wants a happy life far from home, fully aware that her only hope is to escape and therefore betray those close to her. Honza believes in the purity and power of love, regardless of the circumstances under which it is born. Kamila looks confidently to the future and does not intend to accept the misery of the present. The only Jarda knows that he will not change the world or himself. Aware of his weakness, he does not even try. In his mind, of course, his addiction to slot machines, which has led to a nearly impossible situation, is as certain as most gamblers' belief of an imminent win. The real and convincing attempt to rescue his family comes when it is too late. It is just a futile gesture, a desperate last ditch effort.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | small town

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Czech Republic

Language:

Czech

Release Date:

1 December 2011 (Czech Republic)

Also Known As:

Flower Buds

Box Office

Budget:

CZK 16,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineart Production, Ceská Televize, Frame100r

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

"Mindful, witty and unorthodox..."

Czech screenwriter and director Zdenel Jirasky's feature film debut which he wrote, was screened in the East to the West section at the 47th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2012, was shot on location in Czech Republic and is a Czech Republic production which was produced by producer Viktor Schwarcz. It tells the story about a middle-aged railway guard named Jarda who lives with his wife Kamila, their son Honze and their daughter Agata in an apartment in a village called Bohemia. It's December, and while Jarda looks for ways to take care of his debts and encounters a Vietnamese man, Kamila is taking care of the household and about to participate in the making of an erotic calendar, Agata awaits her boyfriend Matej and tells her friend Magda a secret and Honze meets a stripper named Susana whom he falls in love with.

Subtly and precisely directed by Czech filmmaker Zdenel Jirasky, this quietly paced fictional tale which is narrated from multiple viewpoints, draws a singular and engaging portrayal of a Czech family and the strange events that occurs as they are preparing for Christmas. While notable for it's naturalistic and distinct milieu depictions, fine cinematography by cinematographer Vladimir Smutny, costume design by costume designer Iva Raskova and use of sound, this character-driven and dialog-driven dark comedy where trains create continuity and becomes a character in itself, depicts some dense studies of character and contains a good score by composer Martin Prikryl.

This poignantly atmospheric, somewhat romantic and at times humorous drama which is set during a winter in an industrial Czech community where the trains seem to move faster than life, examines themes like family relations, interpersonal relations and friendship and is impelled and reinforced by it's cogent narrative structure, subtle character development, colorful characters, interrelated stories and the efficiently understated acting performances by actor Vladimir Jarovský, actress Malgorzata Pikus, actress Marika Soposká, actor Miroslav Pánek, actress Natalie Rehorova and actress Aneta Krejciková. A mindful, witty and unorthodox directorial debut about the absurdities of life.