Bath Film Festival 2008

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (Valerie a tyden divu)

One of the last films of the Czech ‘New Wave', and one of the most influential fantasies ever made, Valerie is an intoxicating gothic fable about a 13 year-old girl beset by bizarre erotic dreams in which she is constantly pursued by a sinister array of lecherous authority figures. Schallerová, (13 at the time) gives an extraordinary performance, effortlessly expressing the confusion, anxieties, and wonders of a girl at the onset of womanhood. Mixing horror, fairytale, surrealism and Freudian symbolism, it's another wonder that the film was ever made in a climate of Soviet suppression! Jires manages to successfully combine the ethereal with the grotesque (think Alice in Wonderland meets Nosferatu). Add breathtaking visuals and a remarkable score and ‘its overall effect is stunning' - Time Out. VT/SR

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Philip Castang
Posts: 5

Re:
Reply #3 on : Thu October 16, 2008, 07:07:52

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I agree.

Anonymous
Posts: 5

Re:
Reply #2 on : Wed October 15, 2008, 13:02:24

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I agree. Lovely film.

Rob
Posts: 5

Re: Valerie's Wonderful Week
Reply #1 on : Wed October 08, 2008, 18:45:38

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What a surprise to find this in your programme! I remember thinking it was the most beautiful film I had ever seen (or was ever likely to see) when I saw it in a double-bill with The Party And The Guests. Also fantastic to have an opportunity to re-visit The Round-up - one of the greats. Good on you, BFF!

Last Edit: October 09, 2008, 02:12:45 by bff