In his film Kam, pánové, kam jdete? (...And What Now, Gentlemen?, 1987), director Karel Kachyňa attempted to show the contemporary crisis of “real socialism” in the mirror of a typical male midlife crisis, as experienced by the main protagonist, 42-year-old Prague architect Jan Kolvara. Screenwriter Milan Ležák chose the traditional long-distance march from Prague to Prčice as the setting for Kolvara’s internal transformation. The architect sets off on the march armed with city shoes and a steely determination. As his strength wanes he contemplates radical ways to settle scores with his manipulative boss Crha (Oldřich Vlach) and his estranged wife Madla (Soňa Valentová)... Seasoned director Kachyňa chose Karel Heřmánek for the lead role following previous collaborations in photography-themed drama Dobré světlo (A Good Light, 1985) and in an adaptation of Ota Pavel’s novel Smrt krásných srnců (The Death of the Beautiful Deer, 1986). The part of young draughtswoman Eliška, inescapably attracting Kolvara’s attention, was given to Miroslava Pleštilová. Jazz lovers may appreciate the film’s soundtrack which was heavily influenced by Miles Davis.
After a row with his wife, Madla, forty year old architect Jan Kolvara sets off for a long distance walk in casual dress and light shoes. On the walk he meets his younger colleague Robert, together with his girl-friend, the draughtswoman, Elika and his boss, Crha, and an ambitious colleague, árka. Some time ago Crha offered to Jan and Robert to work out a project for a rehabilitation sanatorium. He hoped they would refuse and he could give this job to his lover, árka. But both designers adapted a villa for a handicapped lady some time ago and thus they accepted this job. During the walk, Jan recalls memories of his children and wife. At the 38th kilometre, he recalls the sad destiny of his project for a village firehouse. Madla catches up to her husband by car, but she is jealous of Elika. They fight again and Madla leaves. She comes back with the children and is waiting at the 63rd kilometre. The wretched Jan continues walking and he recalls happily how they worked on the sanatorium project design. But Crha deceived them and presented árka's unsatisfactory project to the investor. At the 85th kilometre, Jan's stamina is gone. Crha and árka hypocritically offer him help. But Jan cuffs his boss and, despite his tiredness, is even hunting him in the field in front of Robert, Elika, and Madla. Crha promises that he will push through their project. Jan sets off further with a will to reach the end of the walk.
architekt Jan Kolvara
Voice by Dana Syslová
Madla, Kolvarova žena
kreslička Eliška Roubová
Šárka Vaňková, Kolvarova kolegyně
Vladimír Crha, Kolvarův šéf
Robert, Eliščin přítel
stavební mistr Pešta
Marie, Peštova invalidní žena
starý turista
Janina, dcera Kolvarových
Honza, syn Kolvarových
zdravotní sestra
Ing. Líbal, zástupce investora
Ing. Bártek, zástupce dodavatele
reportér
číšník
lékař-kardiolog
lékař-kardiolog v televizi
uklízečka Švábová
učitelka
turista Krakonoš
turistka
odpadlík
studentka
turista
jogín
jogín
zdravotní sestra
starší žena na rockovém koncertě
pořadatel
pořadatel
pořadatel
pořadatel
zpěvák
člen hudební skupiny
člen hudební skupiny
člen hudební skupiny
člen hudební skupiny
člen hudební skupiny
dlouhá dívka
důchodkyně
dubl za Karla Heřmánka
Zeno Dostál, Stanislava Hutková
Bára Jelínková
Jiří Forst, Jan Huptych, Karel Plaňanský, Milan Šilha
Luboš Čížek, Gabriela Kerekešová
Irena Strachová (klapka), Karel Ješátko (fotograf), Vladimír Mertlík, skupina Tango, Jan Zajíček (2)
skupina Tango, Kvartet Milana Svobody
Song Composer Miroslav Imrich
Writer of Lyrics Pavel Zeman
Singer Miroslav Imrich
Singer Karel Heřmánek
Song Composer Michael Kocáb
Writer of Lyrics Michal Bukovič
Singer Jiří KornVilém Čok
Song Composer Jaroslav Jankovec
Writer of Lyrics Jaroslav MottlKarel Melíšek
Singer Ivan Vyskočil
Kam, pánové, kam jdete?
Kam, pánové, kam jdete?
...And What Now, Gentlemen?
film
featuretheatrical distribution
comedy
Czechoslovakia
1987
1987
withdrawal from distribution 1 June 1993
premiere 1 August 1988 /unsuitable for youths/
4. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupina, Marcela Pittermannová (vedoucí 4. dramaturgicko-výrobní skupiny)
feature film
84 min
2 389 meters
16mm, 35mm
1:1,37
colour
sound
mono
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech
Event: Prémie Českého literárního fondu
1988
Praha / Czechoslovakia
Milan Ležák