Product Details

• Actors: Jitka Novákova, Karel Novak, Jan Schmid
• Directors: Vera Chytilová
• Writers: Vera Chytilová, Ester Krumbachová
• Format: Black & White, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: Czech
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Radim Films
• DVD Release Date: July 26, 2005
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B0009OUBME
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,335 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #23 in	Movies & TV > Art House & International > By Original Language > Czech
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Vera Chytilova, a key member of the group of filmmakers known as the Czech New Wave, presents a surrealistic fable based on the Adam and Eve story. A modern couple vacationing at a spa eat forbidden fruit, sending the wife on an obsessive search for a dangerous killer. A highly stylized, allegorical tale about women from woman who directed DAISIES.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars To be exact, 3 and a half stars. Beautiful and difficult..., January 28, 2009

By	David Shaw (Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

VISUALLY BEAUTIFUL, NARRATIVELY DIFFICULT.
Like Chytilova's "Daisies", this is not an easy film to make sense of, despite the fact that it is loosely based on a rather famous story--that of Adam and Eve. Beginning with its wonderful, strange and continuously running music, it tends to overwhelm the viewer and take him to another place--in this case, a sort of "Eden" that appears to be a rather run-down Eastern European spa. The fateful bite of the apple takes place near the start (after some very ravishing color images of the couple) and goes from there--essentially the next 80 minutes or so are the time between the bite and the approach of God in the garden. This time is taken up with Eve and Adam dealing with Robert, a mysterious, Satan-like figure who wears a dark red jacket and is possibly a murderer. (Red is the prominent color of this film, far above the pale greens and browns.)
Given the fact that a certain portion of the film was done spontaneously, it shouldn't be surprising that at times it seems to be more about movement and elliptical dialogue than propelling a traditional narrative forward. This is good to keep in mind, because I started watching it thinking it would be more tightly structured, but then remembering the way "Daisies" plays out, I knew my expectations had to change. Chytilova is supposedly concerned with feminist issues, though for this male viewer the film was as much, if not more, about atmosphere and allusion as it was about the way men and women relate. Perhaps a second viewing would make these other issues appear more obvious, or perhaps her intent was always as much about visuals as it was about idealogy.
Certainly worth watching, but bring your patience and an open mind.