Pearls of the Deep
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1965Production year
1964Premiere
7 January 1966Runtime
107 minCategory
povídkový filmGenre
short-story, tragicomedy, love storyTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Perličky na dněCzech title
Perličky na dněEnglish title
Pearls of the DeepEnglish parallel title
Pearls at the Bottompovídkový film
Pearls of the DeepSummary
Serving as a very convincing example of the creative capabilities of the ascendant Czechoslovak New Wave generation, Perličky na dně (Pearls at the Bottom, 1965) is based on the stories of author Bohumil Hrabal. This anthology of five separate tales sees five upcoming star directors of the New Wave contributing their talents: Jiří Menzel, Jan Němec, Evald Schorm, Věra Chytilová and Jaromil Jireš. (The story Fádní odpoledne [Dull Afternoon] was filmed separately as a short film by director Ivan Passer. Similarly, the half-hour Hrabal étude Sběrné surovosti [Cruelties of Life], was filmed by Juraj Herz). In the film, the five emerging directors of differing styles demonstrate the varied approaches that can be taken to the multifaceted works of Hrabal. The story Smrt pana Baltazara (The Death of Mr Baltazar) is set in the world of motorcycle racing. Jiří Menzel provides his own distinctive take on Hrabal’s poeticism – he would later return to the author’s work in the celebrated Ostře sledované vlaky (Closely Watched Trains, 1966). In Podvodníci (Imposters), Jan Němec presents two old men on their deathbeds looking back on their lives; the story remains highly faithful to Hrabal’s written work. However, Věra Chytilová’s mosaic Automat Svět (The World Café), set in a well-known eatery in Libeň, has a far looser take on the material. Dům radosti (The House of Joy) is Evald Schorm’s black-and-white presentation of the colourful story of a young painter for whom even an experienced insurance broker cannot secure an insurance plan. In Romance, Jaromil Jireš tells the story of the emotional flare-up of a trainee plumber for a young gypsy woman. Relayed as a lyrical drama, this segment is noteworthy for its representation of the largely taboo Roma. The works of Hrabal (the writer also has cameos in all of the segments) are not the only unifying umbrella in this film project. Cinematographer Jaroslav Kučera handles the camerawork for the entire film. In terms of the acting talent on display, the directors largely opted for natural authenticity over experienced performers. Věřa Chytilová was also able to cast Hrabal’s artist friend Vladimír Boudník, who plays himself in Automat Svět.
Synopsis
Five short stories.
Film online
Photos
Crew and creators
Cooperation
Antonín Stránský (fotograf)
Production info
Original Title
Perličky na dně
Czech Title
Perličky na dně
English Title
Pearls of the Deep
English Parallel Title
Pearls at the Bottom
Category
povídkový film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
short-story, tragicomedy, love story
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1965
Production Year
1964
Production specifications
literary Screenplay approved 31 January 1964
technical Screenplay approved 24 February 1964
start of filming 24 March 1964
end of filming 4 December 1964
projection approval 03/1965
withdrawal from distribution 6 April 1973
Premiere
premiere 7 January 1966 /unsuitable for youths/ (celostátní)
premiere 21 January 1966 /unsuitable for youths/ (kina Praha /3 týdny/ a Pasáž /2 týdny od 11. 2./, Praha)
renewed premiere 27 May 2021 /suitable for all ages without limit/
Distribution slogan
Digitally restored and back in cinemas.
Production
Copyright Holders
Studio
Laboratories
Distribution
Ústřední půjčovna filmů (původní 1966), Národní filmový archiv (obnovená 2021)
Creative Group
Tvůrčí skupina Šmída – Fikar, Ladislav Fikar (vedoucí dramaturg tvůrčí skupiny), Bohumil Šmída (vedoucí výroby tvůrčí skupiny)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
107 min
Original length in metres
2 925 meters
Distribution carrier
16mm, 35mm, DCP 2-D, BRD
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
colour, black & white
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
mono
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
Awards
Vítěz
Festival: 16. mezinárodní filmový festival Melbourne
1967
Melbourne / Australia
Vítěz
Event: Múzy pražských diváků
1967
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Jiří Šust
Vítěz
Exhibition: 12. západoněmecké dny krátkého filmu Oberhausen
1966
Oberhausen / Federal Republic of Germany
Vítěz
Festival: 18. mezinárodní filmový festival Locarno
1965
Locarno / Switzerland
Vítěz
Festival: 18. mezinárodní filmový festival Locarno
1965
Locarno / Switzerland
