Podezření

Der Film handelt über Menschen. Über einfache Menschen, die unter Druck geraten. Erst dann zeigt sich, wie sie in Wirklichkeit sind. Sie sollten also nichts Gutes erwarten – natürlich außer hinreißenden Schauspielleistungen und einem ausgezeichneten eiskalten Drehbuch. Nach ein paar Minuten war ich überzeugt, dass ich heute keine Lust habe, mir so einen Film anzusehen. Dann hat er mich aber so gefangen genommen, dass ich keine andere Wahl hatte. Sobald Rudolf Hrušínský damit begonnen hat, Vlastimil Brodský das Kreuzverhör vorzuführen, konnte ich mich von dem Film nicht losreißen. (17.05.2017)

This forgotten television play is a big surprise for me. I highly appreciate the excellent script by Jiří Hubač, the direction, and the cast, which led to the creation of an impressive absurd play about human fear, adaptability, and the law of the jungle. Four men are suddenly taken by German soldiers from a hotel during martial law in the Protectorate and locked in a classroom of the local elementary school. They have no idea why they are being detained or what fate awaits them. However, their fear and imagination are working overtime. They construct potential accusations against themselves and prepare their defense. At the same time, they search for the weakest link in their randomly formed group, someone they could offer as a sacrifice to their interrogator. The Gestapo isn't necessary; they can create their own Gestapo within their ranks. The precise performances, led by Rudolf Hrušínský, reminded me at times of his legendary performance in The Cremator. The film also partially reflects the atmosphere of the early normalization period, where the purges were carried out not by Soviet occupiers, but by eager local collaborators. Overall impression: 95%. (14.07.2010)