Ladislav

In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.　　The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vláil, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vláil made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).　　Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.　　As expected from Vláil, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.　　Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.　　The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.　　Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.　　The film also features the evocative music of Zdenk Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vláil, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.　　The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vláil's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.

冷漠的面孔，行进的人群，那一抹抹红色点缀着布拉格街头的寒冷，让温暖流淌在匆忙的交错过往之间。　　车站自是离别伤感之所，身为道桥扳道员的父亲（Vladimír Javorský 饰）抱着儿子拉多（Ladislav Ondrej 饰）穿梭在离别的人群之中，看他们喜乐哀伤诀别亲人、诀别爱人、诀别曾留下足迹的城市。　　父子俩的生活简单质朴，幸福却从未因家庭的不完整而有半点缺失。儿子祈求第二天去父亲的工作场所，谁曾想这却是一个改变很多人一生的约定……　　本片荣获2003年棕榈泉国际短片电影节最佳影片奖、2003美国温馨电影展（HeartLand Film Festival）水晶心奖。

阿格涅丝卡·霍兰([糜骨之壤])新片[江湖郎中](Charlatan，暂译)正式开拍，该片由伊凡·特洛伊(Ivan Trojan)、尤拉伊·娄伊(Juraj Loj)主演。影片故事根据草药医生Jan Mikolášek的真实故事改编，讲述尽管困难重重 ，他还是毕生致力于照料病人。该片计划于明年2月20日首映。