Želary
| Želary | |
|---|---|
U.S. poster
|
|
| Directed by | Ondřej Trojan |
| Written by |
Květa Legátová (novel) Petr Jarchovský |
| Starring |
Anna Geislerová György Cserhalmi |
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics USA, Falcon Czech Republic |
|
Release date
|
September 4, 2003 |
|
Running time
|
150 min. |
| Country |
Czech Republic Slovakia |
| Language | Czech Russian German English |
Želary is a 2003 Czech/Slovak film directed by Ondřej Trojan, starring Anna Geislerová. The movie received a 2004 Academy Award nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category. It was produced by Barrandov Studios in Prague.
The film is adapted from two works by Czech novelist Květa Legátová - "Želary," a collection of short stories published in 2001, and her 2002 book, "Jozova Hanule."
In 1940s Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Eliška is a nurse who works alongside her lover, Richard, a respected surgeon. Due to the rising pressure of the Nazis, an underground network has formed to help those in danger of persecution. Richard is one of several doctors taking part in the resistance while Eliška acts as a messenger between contacts.
One night, Richard responds to an emergency call involving a patient in need of a risky operation. Because she has the same blood type, Eliška takes part in the transfusion. Days later, she arrives at Richard's apartment to find their friend, Slávek, waiting with disturbing news. The Gestapo have apprehended two of their members putting everyone at risk for discovery. Stunned, Eliška receives word that Richard has emigrated, but has left papers for her to assume a new identity. Slávek tells her that she must leave the city with a man named Joza - the patient who received the transfusion. Seeing no alternative, Eliška - now Hana - leaves for the countryside and is reasonably troubled about her fate.
A mountain-dweller, Joza appears uncouth and disheveled, but is kind and considerate to her plight. He provides her with a temporary sojourn in a small village where she quickly becomes an object of curiosity. Some, such as Teacher Tkáč, the schoolmaster, are xenophobic and suspicious. The Nazis have killed anyone harboring an enemy to their cause and Eliška learns that staying as an asylum-seeker is a danger to them all. She attempts to leave, but the village doctor reveals that the Nazis executed Slávek. He tells her that to remain safe, she must marry Joza and live with him in the mountain village of Želary.
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