Pribehy obycejneho silenstvi

by: Tereza Schneiderova

Petr Zelenka certainly does not fall into the category of “unsuccessful Czech director.” He has already proven his immense talent in other successful films such as Knoflikari, Rok dabla, and Samotari. His new film Pribehy obycejneho silenstvi is definitely on the same level as the others, and may even beat them.

As in his other films, the characters in Pribehy obycejneho silenstvi constantly deal with unusual situations with their parents, jobs and life, and at times, they don’t seem to live in a “normal” world. Perhaps because of this, Zelenka’s films seem to reflect the bizarreness or individuality of our own lives.

If you wonder how the title of films connects to the plot, you don’t have to now. The title talks for itself throughout the film. All I have to say is: Great music, great direction, great scenario, great performance and great spectacle.

The story takes place in Prague, primarily at the airport. Petr (Ivan Trojan) is the main character, a 33 years old “loser.” He has lost his girlfriend, his parents are strange and he has problems with his boss too. Petr works at the airport and controls the incoming packages. Throughout the whole story, he tries to get his love, Jana (Zuzana Sulajova), back by staging many insane tricks. Petr’s life is not easy, no one believes him when he claims that his blanket tries to strangle him, and his parents don’t make it better. His mother (Nina Diviskova) is too soft-hearted and his father (Miroslav Krobot) finds himself a lover and is, let’s say, “weird.”

Petr’s crazy life wouldn’t be complete without his crazy boss. Petr’s boss (Karel Hermanek) wasn’t one of the lucky ones; he married a furious woman. Therefore, he decides to find himself a lover too. I will only tell you that his lover is very abnormal.

Petr’s neighbors (Zuzana Bydzovska and Jiri Bartoska) are also abnormal. They have specific sexual preferences that Petr somehow gets mixed up in by accident. Just when you think that the whole story might just end normally, things actually take a radical turn which makes you pay attention again.

The story has a main narrative, but I think that Zelenka’s primary purpose is to make the audience notice the little details, which actually build the whole plot. And all of the details do make sense. What is excellent about the whole story is the connection between the beginning and the end, prepare to be surprised. It left me feeling that “happy ends” are no longer wanted of movies. But, if there is a movie you should see now, it’s definitely this one. Wait no longer.

Director: Petr Zelenka

Script: Petr Zelenka

Starring: Ivan Trojan, Zuzana Sulajova, Nina Diviskova, Miroslav Krobot, Karel Hermanek, Zuzana Bydzovska, Jiri Bartoska, Petra Lustigova

Camera: Miro Gabor