Czech Dream (Česky Sen)

reviewed by: Tereza Schneiderova

Czech Dream (Česky Sen) is not a regular film. There is no hero, no love and no happy ending. It is actually the first Czech reality movie.

If you are bored with the same old movies, annoying characters or tiring plots, this movie will be quite refreshing. Czech Dream is the brainchild of two very witty guys, Filip Remunda and Vit Klusak, students of Prague’s film university FAMU. Their idea was to invent a nonexistent supermarket and persuade people to come to the opening. The film takes you through the whole process of making commercials, printing out flyers, recording a song, questioning shop maniacs about their shopping habits and finally opening the fake supermarket.

The film starts out like an innocent joke but builds to a serious climax. The first step of their charade was to pretend to be true businessmen. They had to become serious and convincing and they actually fulfilled their task. You get the feeling that these two men would do anything for their project to work and you catch yourself hoping that everything will turn out ok. Afterwards they designed a catchy logo for the supermarket, and went to work as if they were really building a new store. They got help from professionals throughout the whole project. After the relatively easy part of coming up with the logo, there came the harder tasks such as getting people to believe that there actually was going to be a new supermarket. There were even serious business obstacles to overcome, such as getting into a fight with the advertising agency. But Remunda and Klusak are concentrated and calm even when they sense a problem.

As the movie draws to a close you feel tense and sort of nervous for the creators; so many people are falling into their trap. And you start to think that the movie and scenario has moved beyond being just a joke. The reactions of people as they come on to the empty field, except for a banner, where the store should be is very interesting. Some of them automatically start to curse at the Czech government and politicians. Some of them keep on looking around thinking that they just don’t see well. And the nice ones smile and go home. As the viewer you mostly expect these reactions. There is one surprising guy that will make you laugh.

If you are thinking about seeing a genuinely Czech film, you shouldn’t wait any longer. Go see Czech Dream (Česky Sen), it offers a lot to learn about Czech mentality and the way people react to unexpected events in the Czech Republic. I’m glad that someone in this country came up with such a creative idea.

Directed by: Filip Remunda, Vit Klusak
Actors: Citizens of the Czech Republic, Filip Remunda, Vit Klusak
Script: Filip Remunda, Vit Klusak
Camera: Vit Klusak
Music: Hynek Schneider
Production: Filip Cermak
Co-production: Ceska televize, Studio MIRAGE, FAMU, Cinemasound