In 1986, director Vít Olmer created a highly popular yet uncompromising depiction of the gloomy realities of the “normalisation” era. Young widower Antony (Antonín Paleček) is the protagonist of this psychological drama with social undertones. After suffering the tragic death of his first wife, he is pursuing the dream of a happy family life with his new spouse Marta, but it is all in vain... He is resolved to be a good father to his little daughter and he aspires to lead an honest life – but those around him, including Marta, have no understanding at all for his endeavours. The down-to-earth narrative, delivered in a special, dynamic visual style, was an opportunity for the lesser known actor Luboš Veselý – usually seen on stage – to excel in the lead role. Veronika Jeníková, who played the part of Marta, took on an almost antithetical role a year later when starring as prostitute T-Shirt Eve in Olmer’s tragicomedy about racketeers pulling scams with foreign currencies, Bony a klid (Big Money).
Anthony's wife died in a car accident. The car was being driven by Anthony, but it was not his fault. He has a nervous breakdown after the tragedy and ends up in a mental hospital. His little daughter Bára meanwhile stays with the Zachars, parents of Anthony's late wife. The Zachars keep blaming him for killing their daughter. After his return from the therapy, Anthony wants to take care of the daughter himself – but he needs a woman to help. In Náchod, he meets a textile worker, Marta. He spends a night with her and proposes to her the next day. Although surprised, Marta accepts. They leave together for Prague and get married. After the marriage, however, Marta finds out that Anthony solely wanted a child minder for his daughter. She wants to leave, but eventually stays and begins to take care of Bára. Anthony works as an unskilled labourer at a goods station. The family constantly has a thin time, but Anthony refuses any help from the Zachars and he also refuses to take part in robbing the wagons. Marta hates their poverty-stricken life and leaves Anthony. Her friend Irena mentions that she could make a fortune on spending a night with a Western foreigner from time to time, but Marta cannot. The railways investigate the robberies. Sidekicks Mirek a Pako try to kill Anthony for fear that he might disclose them, but Anthony fortunately escapes the attack with only a hurt leg. The Zachars again tend to Bára during his treatment. Marta finds herself a job and returns to Anthony and Bára.
Antonín Paleček zvaný Antony
Marta Šilhavá
Bára, Antonyho dcera
barmanka Irena
sousedka Valoušková
Zachar, Antonyho tchán
Zacharová, Antonyho tchyně
Mirek, šéf skladníků
JUDr. Osten
Voice by Vlasta Žehrová
prostitutka Květa
strýc
skladník Pako
skladník Bandaska
skladník Drezína
Voice by Dalimil Klapka
vrátný Kobes
on sám, herec
Voice by Marcela Martínková
ředitelka mateřské školky
Antonyho kamarádíček
paní na hlídání
pokladní v sámošce
Irenin soused, cizinec
sousedova manželka
Italka
muž s kravatou
kudrnáč/člen výjezdové hlídky VB
kolotočář/člen výjezdové hlídky VB
předseda poroty
prodavačka v drogerii
prodavačka v drogerii
Voice by Jindřich Narenta
Němec
Němec
vrchní v restauraci
železničář
porotkyně
náborový pracovník
Voice by Věra Kalendová
vrátná v ubytovně
diskžokej
klavírista
skladník s fretkou
Voice by Jan Kraus
asistent
dívka
dívka
lyžařka
lyžařka
svačinářka
spolubydlící v natáčkách
vekslák v baru
dirigent
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hlas hosta v hospodě
hlas hosta v hospodě
Petr Slabý, Dalibor Fiksa, Magda Vodičková
Ivan Břešťák, Ivo Černý, Ladislav Rada, František Struska
Vlasta Synkulová, Eva Kulhánková
Alice Ronovská (klapka), Miroslav Jirsa (fotograf)
Jiří Stivín, Collegium Quodlibet (Music Conducted by Jiří Stivín)
Song Composer Jiří Zmožek
Writer of Lyrics Zdeněk Rytíř
Singer Karel GottDara Rolins /ž/
Song Composer Jaromír Nohavica
Song Composer Jiří KalešMilan Dufek
Writer of Lyrics Milan Dufek
Singer skupina Rangers
Song Composer Miro Žbirka
Writer of Lyrics Miro Žbirka
Singer Miro Žbirka
Song Composer Miro Žbirka
Writer of Lyrics Kamil Peteraj
Singer Miro Žbirka
Singer dětský sbor
Antonyho šance
Antonyho šance
Anthony’s Chance
film
featuretheatrical distribution
drama, psychological
Czechoslovakia
1986
1985—1986
literary Screenplay approved 18 September 1985
start of filming 21 October 1985
technical Screenplay approved 4 November 1985
end of filming 9 April 1986
projection approval 16 May 1986
withdrawal from distribution 31 December 1991
premiere 1 November 1986 /unsuitable for youths/
6. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupina Tvůrčí mládí, Jan Vild (vedoucí 6. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupiny Tvůrčí mládí)
feature film
76 min
2 162 meters
16mm, 35mm
1:1,37
colour
sound
mono
Czech
Czech, English, German, Italian
without subtitles
Czech
Event: 15. košalínské filmové setkání Mládež a film Koszalin
1987
Košalín / Poland
Festival: 25. festival českých a slovenských filmů Bratislava
1987
Bratislava / Czechoslovakia
Rudolf Ráž
Festival: 25. festival českých a slovenských filmů Bratislava
1987
Bratislava / Czechoslovakia
Ota Kopřiva