Friday, March 1, 2013

The Cry (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)
The Cry • Křik (1963)
Czech New Wave
Genre: Drama
Director: Jaromil Jireš
Starring: Eva Límanová , Josef Abrhám
Language: Czech
Duration: 77 min.
Rating: 7.6
Summary:
A day in the life of a young couple; a significant day in which their first child enters the world.
The Cry • Křik (1963)
The Cry is the first feature film from Czechoslovak New Wave director Jaromil Jireš, who previously contributed a segment for the Pearls of the Deep anthology, and would go on to direct two other important films during this era, The Joke (1969), and Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970). Based on a collection of writings by Ludvík Aškenazy, The Cry was shot in 1963 (IMDB lists the year incorrectly as 1966), and premiered in competition at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival alongside Jacques Demy's Palme d'Or winner, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

This is yet another beautifully rendered portrait of life that serves as a fascinating preserved time-capsule from this magical period of cinema. It captures a brief moment in the lives of young couple Slávek (a fresh faced Josef Abrhám, before becoming one of the most well known Czech actors of all time) and Ivana (Eva Límanová, in her first of her only two screen roles). Chronicling their day, with Ivana waiting for her turn in the maternity ward, and Slávek making his way around the city on his job as a television repairman.

The narrative proceeds without a standard plot, focusing instead on how Slávek and Ivana spend their time apart, reflecting on the ups and downs of their lives together: past, present, and future; represented onscreen via a stylish blend of flashback memories, fantasy sequences, still frames, unscripted documentary, and newsreel footage. This experimental mix comes together, aided by a Bach organ fugue, and colorful fills from composer Jan Klusák, to form a cohesive whole.

It's interesting how these sequences mesh together, they are often presented in a way where you aren't exactly sure in who's mind a particular scene is taking place. But it's not something meant to be puzzled out, rather just an inventive method (in a time of unparalleled invention) for Jireš to tell the story.

The other point of fascination here is the semi realism and spontaneity in many of the scenes. We get to see the goings-on in an elementary school classroom during one of Slávek's repair calls, and hear each one of them explain the benefits of being invisible. In addition to a lot of on-the-street footage; some sights still very familiar today (a crowd of tourists taking photos of Prague's landmarks), others now a pure novelty (people lined up outside a telephone booth).

All in all, a very strong first effort from one of the pioneers of the movement. Perhaps not a groundbreaking essential piece, but well worth seeking out if you have more than a passing interest in the Czech New Wave.
Bonjour Tristesse
The Cry • Křik (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)

The Cry • Křik (1963)

11 comments:

Keith & the Movies said...

Nice review. I'm totally unfamiliar with this film but it sounds intriguing. The still shots also look quite good. Hopefully I can catch up with it.

Keith & the Movies said...

Nice review. I am totally unfamiliar with this one but it looks intriguing. The still shots look quite good also. Hopefully I'll be able to check this one out.

d_4 said...

It sounds interesting, I just haven't seen enough of these Czech New Wave films to -really- wanna see it.

Lisa Thatcher said...

Ahhh... my beloved Czech New Wave! I haven't seen this, but I really love Valerie and her week of wonders. I happen to have the book next to me right now on a review pile. This film looks gorgeous - there is such a distinctive look to these films. That's a stunning cover for the DVD too. Another for the list. Thanks for a wonderful review BT.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Keith. The striking imagery is one of the recurring patterns, and one of the things I love the best about the films of this movement. Have you seen any Czech New Wave films yet?

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Of course, I likely would have said the same thing a year ago. But the more of them I see, the more I want to explore every last one.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

It's been awhile. I've been kinda suffering from "reviewer's block" ever since the new year. Seemed like nothing I was watching was worth logging in and writing about.

Think I just needed to go back to the classics for inspiration :)

That's the theatrical poster, as this isn't actually available on DVD (as far as I'm aware). The source was a recording off of Czech TV.

Keith & the Movies said...

No I don't think I have. It'll be a completely new experience.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Well, stay tuned. I'll be writing up a beginner's guide once I get done reviewing the remaining films.

Keith & the Movies said...

That sounds fantastic. I'll be watching. BTW, I hope you don't mind but I mentioned you for a couple of LAMMY awards. I hope it's ok.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I don't mind at all! Thank you for the consideration, Keith.

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