''The Ear'' ( cz, Ucho) is a

Czech language Czech (; Czech ), historically also Bohemian (; ''lingua Bohemica'' in Latin), is a West Slavic language of the Czech–Slovak group, written in Latin script. Spoken by over 10 million people, it serves as the official language of the Czech R ...

film by

Karel Kachyňa Karel Kachyňa (1 May 1924 – 12 March 2004) was a Czech film director and screenwriter. His career spanned over five decades. Early life He was born on May 1, 1920, in Vyškov, Czechoslovakia. His father was a government officer. His mother ...

, completed in 1970. This film was banned by the nation's ruling Communist party (who were supported by the occupying Soviet forces). It wasn't released until the fall of the communist regime in 1989.

Plot

The film is about a bitter married couple that consists of Ludvík, a senior official of Prague's ruling Communist regime, and his alcoholic wife Anna. They return home after attending a political party dinner and notice their home has been broken into. Several strange occurrences, including the disappearance of their spare house keys and dead phone lines, lead them to believe that they are under surveillance by their own government. As the night progresses, the flaws of their marriage and of each other are exposed.

Cast

Radoslav Brzobohatý Radoslav Brzobohatý (; 13 September 1932 – 12 September 2012) was a Czech film and television actor. Brzobohatý was born in Vrútky, Czechoslovakia. He appeared in many Czech TV shows, including '' 30 Cases of Major Zeman'', ''Ulice'' and ...

as Ludvík *

Jiřina Bohdalová Jiřina Bohdalová (born 3 May 1931 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic) is a Czech actress. Career She began acting in theatre and film at an early age. She was accepted to The Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts ...

as Anna * Jiří Císler as Standa *

Miroslav Holub Miroslav Holub (; 13 September 1923 – 14 July 1998) was a Czech poet and immunologist. Holub's work was heavily influenced by his experiences as an Immunologist, writing many poems using his scientific knowledge to poetic effect. His work ...

as Russian general * Milica Kolofiková as Woman at the party *

Jaroslav Moučka Jaroslav Moučka (9 November 1923 in Studená – 26 December 2009 in Prague Prague ( ; cs, Praha ; german: Prag, ; la, Praga) is the capital and List of cities in the Czech Republic, largest city in the Czech Republic, and the historic ...

as Vagera

Awards

1990 Cannes Film Festival The 43rd Cannes Film Festival was held from 10 to 21 May 1990. The Palme d'Or went to '' Wild at Heart'' by David Lynch. The festival opened with '' Dreams'', directed by Akira Kurosawa and closed with ''The Comfort of Strangers'', directed by Pau ...

- Nominated for the

Golden Palm The Palme d'Or (; en, Golden Palm) is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. It was introduced in 1955 by the festival's organizing committee. Previously, from 1939 to 1954, the festival's highest prize was the Grand Prix du Fe ...

for

Book

* ''Ear'', Karolinum Press, 2022. .

References

External links