Nuclear Cathedral
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1984Production year
1984Premiere
1 April 1985Runtime
104 minDirector
Jaroslav BalíkCategory
filmGenre
drama, psychologicalTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
Atomová katedrálaCzech title
Atomová katedrálaEnglish title
Nuclear CathedralSummary
The state, especially during the 1970s, commissioned numerous psychological dramas celebrating the socialist “builders of the nation”. This film by director Jaroslav Balík, however, was distributed in the cinemas in 1984, near the end of the “normalisation” era (1969-1987). The main character of the story, inspired by Stanislav Rudolf’s eponymous novel, is the overworked and unappreciated Ing. Vladimír Hlaváč, the manager of a nuclear power plant construction project who is unfairly dismissed. In retrospective scenes, Hlaváč ponders the years he dedicated to the project – a demanding labour of love. Later, the plant’s new director, who values the quality of Hlaváč’s work, appoints him to another managerial role. But the respected builder pays dearly for his dedication to the project, sacrificing both his privacy and his life... The pro-regime film stars Jiří Krampol, in the best performance of his career.
Synopsis
The nuclear plant construction director Ferster announces, in a wine cellar, that he is removing the engineer Vladimír Hlaváč from the company management and replacing him with the engineer Prchal. Hlaváč is on the way to the birthday celebration of his father-in-law and, on the road, contemplates the ceremonial construction launch. Just a second of lingering, and he crashes into the car of his father-in-law who is the physician at the construction site. Fortunately, nothing happens to either of them. Hlaváč keeps recollecting. It was difficult to manage such an extensive construction. He had to face a lack of both finances and qualified workers all the time. He was responsible for all decisions, while his superiors many times interfered in the construction with often incompetent resolutions, but refused any responsibility in case of trouble. Hlaváč devoted all his energy and time to the construction. This also negatively influenced his family life and his wife and son became alienated from him. After his removal, he found temporary comfort with the assistant Daniela. The construction managed by Prchal, however, does not prosper. A newcomer to the enterprise is the vigorous engineer Milý who quickly brings things back to order. He also comes to understand the qualities of Hlaváč who is re-appointed director after his withdrawal. The construction is ceremonially launched. Hlaváč prepares himself for a TV interview but receives an urgent call from his son Rosa on the walkie-talkie. Hlaváč runs to him but he stops moving - his heart, tired and weakened by the years of worries and hard work, fails.
Photos
Cast
Jiří Krampol
Ing. Vladimír Hlaváč
Ota Sklenčka
vedoucí výstavby Ferster
Josef Vinklář
nový ředitel výstavby Milý
Jan Vlasák
hlavní vedoucí výstavby Ing. Miloš Prchal
Jan Teplý
MUDr. Evžen Vančura, Hlaváčův švagr
Libuše Štědrá
Irena, Hlaváčova žena
Pavel Kříž
student Rosťa, syn Hlaváčových
Kateřina Pindejová
Mirka, dcera Hlaváčových
Miroslav Zounar
předseda staveništního výboru KSČ
Valerie Zawadská
Andrea, Prchalova žena
Bohumila Dolejšová
Alena, Vančurova žena, sestra Irenina sestra
Ida Rapaičová
sekretářka Daniela Brabcová
Radan Rusev
svářeč Láďa Fejfar
Vlasta Žehrová
kuchařka Hanka Zvěřinová, Fejfarova dívka
Magda Reifová
prodavačka Monika Stramuská, Rosťova nevěsta
Rudolf Hrušínský ml.
řidič Moravčík
Jiří Kostka
děda, otec Ireny a Aleny
Miriam Kantorková
Gablerová
Bořivoj Navrátil
Ing. Vyhnálek
Josef A. Stehlík
František Dočkal
Bohumír Starý
svářeč Aleš
Miroslav Moravec
zástupce generálního dodavatele technologií
Zdeněk Ornest
zástupce ministerstva
Vlastimil Zavřel
mistr Dolejš
Vít Olmer
nový ředitel
Vladimír Salač
zástupce generálního investora
Ondřej Vetchý
svářeč Mrkvička
Stanislav Hájek
mistr Mádr
Václav Bouška
mistr Mildberger
Jana Eichlerová
reportérka TV
Jana Krausová
zdravotní sestra Petra
Zdeněk Blažek
mistr Vícha
Michaela Jílková
jeřábnice Romana
Eva Štětková
sekretářka u Sochora
Jan Krafka
Ing. Doležal
Vladimír Kudla
Truhlařík
Miloslav Kopečný
Ing. Bouček
Bohumil Koška
mistr Pokorný
Richard Mihula
otec Moniky
Daniel Netušil
Zrzek
Vladimír Pospíšil
Ing. Vavřinec
Gustav Vondráček
mistr Bambas
Bohumil Vávra
strážný
Jan Vávra
svářeč na aktivu
Jaroslav Tomsa
Ing. Stejskal
Eva Kudlíková
geometr
Crew and creators
Director
Second Unit Director
Assistant Director
Continuity
Based on
Stanislav Rudolf (Běh znaveného koně – román)
Screenplay
Shooting Script
Dramaturg
Director of Photography
Second Unit Photography
Camera Operator
Production Designer
Set Designer
Ivan Ernyei, Jiří Libánský, Dana Smržová
Costume Designer
Costumes
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Assistant Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Unit Production Manager
Consultant
Ing. Stanislav Unčovský, Ing. Pavel Pokorný, Ing. Jiří Masný
Cooperation
Jana Pokorná (klapka), Jaroslav Trousil (fotograf)
Music
Music Composed by
Selected Music
Gustav Mahler (různé symfonie /úryvky/), Petr Iljič Čajkovskij (Klavírní koncert b moll)
Music Performed by
FISYO (Music Conducted by Mario Klemens)
Songs
Zaleť, sokol, bílý pták
Song Composer lidová píseň
Singer sbor
U Kokořína
Song Composer Karel Mareš
My pluli dál a dál
Song Composer tradicionál
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Song Composer Harry Richmond
Down By the Riverside
Song Composer tradicionál
When the Saints Go Marching In
Song Composer tradicionál
Production info
Original Title
Atomová katedrála
Czech Title
Atomová katedrála
English Title
Nuclear Cathedral
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
drama, psychological
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1984
Production Year
1984
Production specifications
literary Screenplay approved 2 February 1984
technical Screenplay approved 7 February 1984
start of filming 16 February 1984
end of filming 25 September 1984
projection approval 29 September 1984
withdrawal from distribution 30 June 1990
Premiere
premiere 1 April 1985 /suitable for youths/
Production
Copyright Holders
Distribution
Creative Group
2. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupina, Josef Císař (vedoucí 2. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupiny)
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
104 min
Original length in metres
2 977 meters
Distribution carrier
16mm, 35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
colour
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
mono
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
Awards
Vítěz
Event: 15. ročník čtenářské ankety týdeníku Květy, Československé televize a Ústřední půjčovny filmů
1986
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Jiří Krampol
Vítěz
Festival: 23. festival českých a slovenských filmů Praha
1985
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Viktor Růžička
Vítěz
Festival: 23. festival českých a slovenských filmů Praha
1985
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Vítěz
Festival: 36. filmový festival pracujících – léto ´85
1985
70 měst / Czechoslovakia
Vítěz
Event: Státní ceny Klementa Gottwalda
1985
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Jaroslav Balík
