The books of Jiří Švejda were the inspiration for three films of the 1980s that explored ethical dilemmas that faced workers during the reality of socialism. The psychological drama Kariéra (Career, 1984) was preceded by Požáry a spáleniště (Fires and Burnt Out Places, 1980) and followed by Havárie (Accident, 1985). The main character of Kariéra, directed by Július Matula and inspired by Švejda’s 1973 book Dva tisíce světelných let (Two Thousand Light Years), is chemistry drop-out Tomáš, returning home to northern Bohemia following the completion of his military service. He successfully applies for a job in a local chemical factory that he is neither qualified nor skilled enough to perform. He progressively clashes with his parents and his wife before finally realising that life requires a more solid foundation than excessive self-confidence… The environs of a northern Bohemian chemical plant unwittingly depict the gloomy reality of the time; it was a location also used six years later by Tomáš Vorel in his generational musical (or “rhythmical” picture) Kouř (Smoke, 1990). The film has an appealingly talented cast, led by Martin Stropnický and Kateřina Lojdová.
Karel Kubát, the successful director of the Globus printing works, discovers on his fiftieth birthday that he has a serious heart defect. This dismal news causes him to take stock of his life. In his thoughts he returns to key situations in which he gradually changed his character and life orientation. After the First World War he found a steady job at Globus in a subordinate position. When, after a time, he was given his first real opportunity, he decided to take it without hesitation. He made an unprosperous filial company much more efficient which, however, also led to the suicide of the branch head. Kubát was promoted nevertheless and his steep rise in the company began. It came first before everything else and ultimately cost him his marriage to the principled Pavla. Kubát married again, this time the daughter of the managing director of Globus, and after some time he found himself in his father-in-law's place. He became the head of the company and now does what he chooses, but he is alone, without friendship or love. He suffers a crisis and when he chances upon the house of his first wife, he is crushed by the memories this evokes. He dies in the environment which he once abandoned for the sake of his career.
chemik Tomáš Bayer
Voice by Jarmila Švehlová
Ivona, Tomášova manželka
automechanik Petr Prouza
gymnastka Miluška
Bayerová, Tomášova matka
Jan Bayer, Tomášův otec
zelinář František Grešl, Ivonin otec
Grešlová, Ivonina matka
inženýrka Horáčková
inženýr Šítek, bývalý manžel Horáčkové
mistr Bodlák
mistr Viktor Dusil
hudebník Dušan
dělník Tonda
starší referentka osobního oddělení
vedoucí osobního oddělení Procházka
náměstek Plechatý
praporčík Olda Rajšner
mladší referentka Maruška
prodavačka Majka
sekretářka
Dana
Franta
šermíř
šermíř Honza
trenér
učnice
učnice
soused Václav
Václavova žena
Věra
Pepek
hlasatel
strýc
doktor, Petrův zákazník
hudebnice
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hudebnice
hudebnice
hudebnice
hudebník
rozhodčí šermu
šermíř
kluk šermíř
přiopilý mladík
trenér Dukly
údržbář
rváč
rváč
rváč
rváč
muž v obleku
dubl za Martina Stropnického
hlas historického šermíře
Vít Horálek, Zdeněk Podhola
Jiří Švejda (Dva tisíce světelných let – román)
Bedřich Čermák, Rudolf Beneš, Jaroslav Lehman
Hana Suchá (klapka), Jiří Kučera (fotograf)
Song Composer Dežo Ursiny
Writer of Lyrics Vladimír Poštulka
Singer Dežo UrsinyMartin Stropnický
Song Composer Mya SimilleGilles PeramMichael Eugene Delancray
Writer of Lyrics František Ringo Čech
Singer Martin Stropnický
Song Composer Pavel Vaculík
Writer of Lyrics Jan Krůta
Singer Petr KotvaldStanislav Hložek
Song Composer Karel Vágner
Writer of Lyrics Pavel Žák
Singer Petr KotvaldStanislav Hložek
Song Composer Petr Janda
Writer of Lyrics Pavel Chrastina
Singer OlympicPetr Janda
Song Composer Josef Řepa
Writer of Lyrics Josef Řepa
Singer kapela Moravanka
Kariéra
Kariéra
Career
film
featuretheatrical distribution
psychological
Czechoslovakia
1984
1983—1984
literary Screenplay approved 17 August 1983
start of filming 29 September 1983
technical Screenplay approved 21 October 1983
end of filming 24 April 1984
projection approval 8 June 1984
withdrawal from distribution 30 June 1990
premiere 1 June 1985 /unsuitable for youths/
5. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupina, Miloslav Vydra (vedoucí 5. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupiny)
feature film
89 min
2 470 meters
16mm, 35mm
1:1,37
colour
sound
mono
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech
Festival: 23. festival českých a slovenských filmů Praha
1985
Praha / Czechoslovakia