A number of Czechoslovak films present adolescent characters enamoured with the world of rock music. However, given the turbulent events of 1989, this contemporary tale from director Drahomíra Králová largely passed audiences by. The hero of this story is 16-year-old Hynek Engel, who wants to purchase his friend’s guitar so he can begin performing in a new band. He sets about trying to acquire the necessary 10,000 crowns via various schemes. Ten-year-old sister Adélka helps out by tap dancing in several pubs. But ultimately, the determined rocker is destined for disappointment – although the journey surprisingly brings Hynek closer to his father. The strong points of this sensitively made teenage comedy include realistic dialogue and convincing performances from lesser-known actors. These include Martin Kukla (Hynek), who would also later appear in the Věra Plívová-Šimková drama Houpačka (The Hammock, 1990). Magdaléna Učíková turns in a terrific performance as little Adélka, demonstrating a natural talent for comedy. This children’s film, which also documents the contemporary usage of the IQ 151 computer in schools, features an appearance from pop group Visací zámek (Hanging Lock).
The student Hynek Engel plays in a rock group on borrowed electric guitar, and he has a great success. After the concert he learns unpleasant news. The group falls apart and he has to return the guitar. He knows that without a decent instrument he cannot join any other group. A friend of his school mate Felix has a guitar for sale, but he wants for it ten thousand crowns within two months. Therefore Hynek starts hectically gathering money. He puts in the second hand store his old guitar, he is bargaining with his parents to give him money for Christmas. His parents disagree, and after all they could not give him so much anyway. The savings of his ten year old sister Adélka are neither enough. The siblings don't give in. Hynek works as a sweeper, he sells newspapers, and he plays in a folk band in a pub. When he tries to profiteer with ice hockey tickets he looses all. Adélka is doing better. She is singing in old clothes, playing an old guitar and tap-dancing in pubs. In the end she is arrested by police. Hynek and Adélka experience even more pleasant and unpleasant events, but finally they have almost five thousand crowns. They decide to pay an advance for the dreamed off guitar. However the owner disappoints them, he sold the guitar already. Hynek fights with him. For the saved up money he buys on the way home as a Christmas present expensive ski for his father, who has wished it for a long time. They are both convinced that Hynek will buy one day a quality guitar.
student Hynek Engel
Adélka, Hynkova sestra
maminka Engelová
tatínek Olda Engel
Petra Spáčilová, Hynkova spolužačka
Felix, Hynkův zámožný spolužák
třídní profesor Marek
Vlaďka, prodavačka v bazaru
strážmistr VB
Voice by Rudolf Pellar
starý harmonikář Bouše
vedoucí estrádní skupiny Dušek
stárnoucí zpěvačka Lotka
komik Štancl
etnografka v muzeu
metař Jarda
tlustý Němec v bazaru
spolužák Igor
uklízečka
Alík Kučera, tatínkův spolužák
klavírista
stará paní
zákazník na pošty
profesorka
vedoucí bazaru
otec na schůzkách/muž v autobusu
dirigentka hudební školy
číšnice na Syrovandě
Voice by Zdeněk Dušek
prodejce kytary Stratocaster
taneční mistr
partnerka tanečního mistra
starší dáma
úřednice na poště
mistr v dílně
hlasatelka
vekslák
slečna od veksláka
bubeník
vysoký kluk
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hudebník
hráč na klávesy skupiny Patentní zámek
saxofonista skupiny Patentní zámek
hráč na bicí skupiny Patentní zámek
baskytarista skupiny Patentní zámek
bubeník kapely Sklep
basový kytarista kapely Sklep
kapelník Sklepa
kluk na stadioně
kluk na stadioně
kytarista/dubl za Martina Kuklu – hra na kytaru
kluk kytarista
dívka z tanečních
dívka z tanečních
Alena Houdková, Magda Vodičková
Ivan Břešťák, Jaroslav Česal, Petr Průša
Daniela Jenčíková, Josef Štambach
Terezie Čampulková (klapka), Roman Vácha (fotograf)
Vittorio Monti (Montiho čardáš /Czardas/), Jára Beneš (Růže z Argentiny – opereta ), Bohuslav Martinů (Posvícení)
Luboš Andršt /kytarové sólo/, Studiová skupina Milana Svobody (Music Conducted by Milan Svoboda), Petr Zeman /kytarové sólo/
Song Composer lidová ruská píseň
Writer of Lyrics Jaroslav Mottl
Singer Marian Cingroš [dab]Rudolf PellarMagdalena Učíková
Song Composer Josef Stelibský
Writer of Lyrics Karel MelíšekJaroslav Mottl
Singer Marian Cingroš [dab]Rudolf Pellar
Song Composer Jaromír Vejvoda
Writer of Lyrics Václav Zeman
Singer Marian Cingroš [dab]Rudolf PellarEva Čížkovskásbor
Song Composer Jára Beneš
Writer of Lyrics Karel TobisVáclav ŠpilarVáclav Mírovský
Singer Hana KašparováLubomír Bryg
Song Composer anonym
Singer Magdalena Učíková
Song Composer Karel Vacek
Writer of Lyrics Karel Vacek
Singer Viktorie Knotková
Song Composer Josef Čebiš
Writer of Lyrics František Kaňka
Singer Hana KašparováLubomír Bryg
Song Composer anonym
Singer Magdalena Učíková
Království za kytaru
Království za kytaru
Twelve Bars for Guitar
film
featuretheatrical distribution
comedy
Czechoslovakia
1989
1989
start of filming 3 January 1989
end of filming 30 March 1989
the first film copy approved 3 August 1989
projection approval 10 October 1989
withdrawal from distribution 30 October 1993
premiere 1 March 1990 /suitable for youths/
4. tvůrčí skupina, Marcela Pittermannová (vedoucí 4. tvůrčí skupiny)
feature film
80 min
2 189 meters
16mm, 35mm
1:1,37
colour
sound
mono
Czech
Czech
without subtitles
Czech
Festival: 4. filmový festival mladých Velké Poříčí u Hronova
1990
Velké Poříčí u Hronova / Czechoslovakia
Festival: 12. festival české a slovenské filmové veselohry Novoměstský hrnec smíchu Nové Město nad Metují
1990
Nové Město nad Metují / Czechoslovakia
Magdalena Učíková
Festival: 30. festival filmů pro děti Zlín
1990
Zlín / Czechoslovakia
Martin Kukla
Exhibition: 22. národní přehlídka filmů pro děti Ostrov
1990
Ostrov nad Ohří / Czechoslovakia
Magdalena Učíková