Czech New Wave CZS36 / CMA18 Dr. Šárka Jelínek Gmiterková Fall 2023 21. 9. 2023 Black Peter Czechoslovakia 1963 (Černý Petr) dir. Miloš Forman 1.What do you make of the film‘s title? 2.How would you describe the main protagonists – Petr, Pavla, Čenda, father and mother? What doest the film tell us about generational gap? 3.Why do you think this film was praised by state and party authorities as a great example of socialist cinema? 2 zápatí prezentace Petr x Čenda —Petr not a rebel, just a regular guy (clumsy, quiet, yet doesn‘t bend to the ideas of the older generation) —Čenda – efficient and dedicated labourer, the film pokes a fun at him? — dynamic, loud, not smart Two portraits of period young masculinity 3 zápatí prezentace “A great example of socialist film art“ WHY? -Comedy -Observation: almost no experiments with narration, style and/or ideological background X absorbing international influences and abrupt ending -International success and visibility – various prizes at Venice, Locarno and Lisbon IFF 4 zápatí prezentace Czech New Wave Course: Organization 5 zápatí prezentace Recommended reading Databases, (S)VOD platforms and reading: •KVIFF.TV and Netflix •English friendly programmes in Prague cinemas such as Aero and Edison •https://www.filmovyprehled.cz/en •https://dafilms.com/ 6 zápatí prezentace Obsah obrázku oblečení, Lidská tvář, klobouk, osoba Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku text, kniha, plakát, Lidská tvář Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Reading: Week 1 CROWLEY, David and REID, Susan E. (eds.): Introduction: Pleasures in Socialism? In: Pleasures in Socialism. Leisure and Luxury in Eastern Bloc. Evanston IL, Northwestern University Press, 2012, pp. 3–51. HAMES, Peter. Czech and Slovak Cinema. Theme and Tradition. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2009, pp. 1 – 14, 55 – 74 (Realism). 7 zápatí prezentace Obsah obrázku Lidská tvář, text, snímek obrazovky, obočí Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Postwar Czechoslovak Cultural and Social History: A Brief Overview 8 zápatí prezentace —1945–1948: Third republic —BREAKS —Nationalization of many industries, incl. cultural and media industries —Cinema fell under the direct supervision of the state 11th August 1945 —Theatres could not be owned by a private entrepenur since June 8th 1945 —Strong inclination towards communist ideology and Soviet Union — —CONTINUITIES —Culture and citizens used to a certain degree of discplination and control since the war years (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia) —Leftist tendencies already present in the socalled First Republic era (1918–1938), although they were a minority —Strong preferences for the working class 1948–1953: Forming the system and the first crisis 9 zápatí prezentace —1948, February 17th–25th – the Communist putsch —Starting the era of a very tight and rigid ideological control in agreement with a larger society —Important formative years of the system —Top-down implementation of Soviet politics —Numerous clashes between party leadership and state government —working class is the new domineering social class —Radical youth and female employment — —The „Sharp Course“ politics —socialist realism is the norm —revision of Czech cultural heritage —cutting ties with western influences and democratic tradition —since 1951 stagnation and militarization of society: preparation for global conflict, “fight for peace” —1953 – death of Stalin and president Klement Gottwald —The politics of New Course >> return of entertainment and commercial genres (operetta, satire) 10 zápatí prezentace 1954–1956: Changing priorities 1957–1960: Schizofrenia of the regime 11 zápatí prezentace —the foundation of modern socialist society —Changing priorities >> securing a more comfortable life standard for Czechoslovak citizens —socialist realism is not considered as a strict norm —the country opens towards western influences — —In the second half of the decade a lot of opposing tendencies —the effort to finalize the cultural and ideological revolution and getting closer to communist utopia resulted in the tendency to weaken critical voices and renewed preference for ideological purity —X the regime was much weaker than at the beginning of the decade, bottom-up reaction on societal changes and trends —Faith in technological progress / the return to world fashion in 1957 / Czechoslovak success at Expo Brusel 1958 —the ideal of a regular citizen >> no more a worker, but a middle class, cultured person 12 zápatí prezentace 1961–1963: Economical problems 1964–1968: Consumer socialism —In the first half of the decade economical issues + global politics crisis —new generation of top level politicians (generational shift reflected in cinema as well) —the country is open to international influences (tourism, international students) —In the second half of the decade the economic situation stabilized — Tolerance for western films, music, fashion, although not general (men with long hair, drug using) 13 zápatí prezentace Key elements of cultural politics and socialist lifestyle 1948–1968 14 zápatí prezentace 1.Democratization of culture any citizen can participate on socialist culture, either as a consumer or as a producer Downsides – culture was differentiated from ideological perspectives - Luxury based on the difficulty of access: cars, electronics, fashion, food items 2.Ateistic propaganda and rationalization of life Departure from religious traditions New socialist citizen should be a fully formed person, acting in accordance with his or her rationality >> easier for planning standardization and distribution 3.Against petite bourgeoisie (lower middle class) Wide, yet flexible category