The Mute

Country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1973

Production year

1973

Runtime

15 min

Category

film

Genre

étude

Typology

featurenon-theatrical distributionstudent filmshort

Original title

Němí

Czech title

Němí

English title

The Mute

Synopsis

A strike hasn't brought the much hoped-for improvement of the economic situation for the men at a carpentry workshop. Fernanda, the wife of the carpenter Yvars, still trusts the workshop owner Paul unreservedly. The workshop once belonged to her father, who taught Paul all he needs to know. But Paul is unconcerned with the workshop, he has a passion for horses and racing events. That is also where he spends all the money, so there is nothing left for modernization and for the workers' wages. The men decide not to speak to Paul. When he comes to them, or invites them to his office, they are silent. Yvars, who has known Paul since he was a little boy, is the only one to break the agreed silence. He asks Paul to raise the men's wages, but Paul merely promises two Christmas gifts, a collection of chocolates, and a bottle of cognac. It seems there is no hope for the workers.

Cast

Ferdinand Krůta

truhlář Yvars

Zdena Hadrbolcová

Fernanda, truhlářova manželka

Jiří Zahajský

dělník Marcou

Karel Hábl

majitel dílny Paul Lassalle

Pavel Spálený

dílovedoucí Ballester

P. Meissner

Valery

Crew and creators

Based on

Albert Camus (Němí ze sbírky Exil a království – povídka)

Screenplay

Karel Kovář

Director of Photography

Jan Vaniš

Production Designer

Aleš Voleman

Film Editor

R. Slavíčková

Production Manager

Tomáš Gabriss, Karel Fiala

Pedagogical management

Antonín Kachlík (režie), Jan Kališ (kamera), Alois Fišárek (střih), Vladimír Volf (produkce)

Music

Music Composed by

Josef Ceremuga

Songs

Je suis née dans l'Faubourg Saint-Denis /Gosse de Paris/

Song Composer René Sylviano
Writer of Lyrics Léo LeliévreHenri VarnaLeopold De Lima
Singer Mistinguett

Production info

Original Title

Němí

Czech Title

Němí

English Title

The Mute

Category

film

Typology

featurenon-theatrical distributionstudent film

Genre

étude

Student film

Origin country

Czechoslovakia

Copyright

1973

Production Year

1973

Production

Studio FAMU

Copyright Holders

Národní filmový archiv

Technical info

Duration typology

short film

Duration in minutes

15 min

Original length in metres

428 meters

Distribution carrier

35mm

Aspect ratio

1:1,37

Colour

black & white

Sound

sound

Sound system/format

mono

Versions

Czech

Dialogue languages

Czech

Subtitles languages

without subtitles

Opening/End credits languages

Czech