Standa and Bróňa are volunteer firefighters in a small village. While the clumsy Standa is looking forward to the birth of his son soon, his older friend Bróňa is no longer enjoying life because his wife has recently died. Things change when a van crashes into a crowd of people during the Easter Fair, and the driver flees. People believe it is a terrorist attack and the festive mood is replaced by an atmosphere of fear, hatred and misinformation, into which the locals, including the frightened Standa, sink. Bróňa, convinced of terrorism, tries to improve the situation. The sense of danger pumps new blood into his veins, and the fire brigade becomes a militia.
The Last Race (Poslední závod)
Directed by Tomáš Hodan
Tuesday, April 11
Czech Oscar- Best Cinematography, Official Selection – Karlovy Vary IFF
The true story of Czech skiing pioneers Bohumil Hanč and Václav Vrbata and their dramatic race across the Krkonoše (Giant) mountains of the Sudetenland in 1913. With his wife expecting a child, Hanč had promised never to race again, but gives in to pressure from his friends and takes on one last race. On the brink of collapse himself, German skier Emmerich Rath comes to Hanč’s aid as the race becomes more one of survival as all three write a story of heroism, courage, will and friendship in the inhuman cold and impenetrable blizzard.
Nightsiren (Světlonoc)
Directed by Tereza Nvotová
Tuesday, April 25
Best Feature — Locarno IFF, 11 Czech Oscar Nominations
In a remote mountain village, two sisters grow up at the mercy of their abusive mother. A terrible accident happens when the eldest, Šarlota, escapes into the woods, followed by her sister Tamara. Otyla, a Roma woman living on the outskirts of town, is blamed for the girls’ disappearance and accused of witchcraft. Twenty years later, Šarlota unexpectedly shows up in the village. As she digs into her past, the locals grow suspicious. Only a young and eccentric herbalist, Mira, is willing to befriend her. When the animals in the village start to fall ill, the locals accuse Šarlota of conjuring Otyla’s spirit.
Buko
Directed by Alice Nellis
Wednesday, May 3 & Sunday, May 7
Czech Oscar, Best Supporting Role — Martha Issová, Official Selection – Karlovy Vary IFF
Jarmila and her husband Václav move from Prague to the countryside to spend their last years. Upon Václav’s unfortunate passing, Jarmila receives a surprise as dictated in his last will: an old circus horse named Buko she is now supposed to take care of. And with it Jarmila starts a new phase of her life. With help of an autistic Tereza, neighbour Karel and his mother, she tries to create a new home for Buko and find her way to him. But to be able to do so, she first must acknowledge her own feelings and stop hiding behind a daily routine and silly TV shows.
About The Fest!
Presented by Big Day Pictures and PolkaWorks, Czech That Film Texas annually brings the best of Czech contemporary cinema to Texas.
The festival is committed to exhibiting films that not only expose viewers to Czech culture, but also enlighten audiences, bring people together, and present inspired entertainment for all.
