Rok dábla

Just seen this movie. The most striking thing about it was that it is almost a copy of the previous Zelenka's film on musicians - Happy End (Mnaga a Zdorp): large part is spoken in English by a foreigner who serves as an independent observer of the described Czech artist. I am not a fan of Nohavica or Plihal, but this was a pleasant movie. Nohavica is a folk star for masses of people without much presence in the media. Therefore, we will be grateful to Zelenka in the future to have this as a memory on the excellent artist.

This movie is one of the best I have seen this year. I am Czech, and so I don't know how much is lost in translation for American viewers, but the movie is simply amazing. All the musicians in the movie are essentially playing themselves, and Nohavica and Plihal's music is just wonderful. This film showcases the musical talents of two of Czech greats. Every child grows up singing Nohavica's songs, and Plihal continues to be one of the best songwriters alive. This movie documents Nohavica's alcoholism and subsequent rehabiliatory efforts, Plihal's emotional breakdown and year of not saying a single word, and the band Cechomor's efforts to make it big. One of the most evocative scenes of this movie is one where Nohavica and Plihal are supposed to play a concert together, but Plihal just can't bring himself to leave the car. He sits outside during the whole event, and Nohavica has to announce this to his audience. After the concert, people come out to see him and say hi to him in the car, where he is still sitting, and he is so overwhelmed by the attention that he starts spreading newspapers up into the car windows. When Nohavica finally comes out from the concert, he finds his car completely covered with newspaper from the inside. This is one of the many sad, evocative, touching and details-attentive scenes of this movie. Excellent, see it.

This is a strange film,not in a weird art-house kind of way, not a psychedelic kind of weird where strangeness is used to show how clever the film-maker is, but the kind of weird that sets the Coen Brothers apart from the usual Hollywood pack. The film centres on the life of Czech folksinger Jaromír Nohavicareal and his struggle of to give up drinking. Having been exiled from his homeland by the communist government for his dissident songs, his return to what was then Czechoslovakia was that of a people's hero. That he is utterly unknown outside the former eastern block countries is a little disconcerting for western viewers, but Slovak friends assure me it would be like seeing Johnny Cash, or Willie Nelson in the title role. In the east, his alcoholism and triumph over it were all well documented in the media, so the films initial start concentrating on his rehabilitation and the videoing of his therapy seems all too plausible as a genuine documentary.

As Jaromir continues his recovery, his guitarist and friend Karel Phiral becomes increasingly jealous of the support and friendship he's found in the detox asylum. Having been refused entry because he wasn't in need of any help, Karel begins to retreat further and further away from society. Worried about his friends mental health, Jaromir enlists the help of a Czech folk band to stage a fake funeral and jolt his friend out of his depression. This unlikely meeting of musicians ends up producing a rock and folk fusion band that tours Czechoslovakia.

A little strange you might say but not all that weird, what's strange is the tour did happen, Jaromir did stage a funeral for his friend and the folk band were indeed courted by punk legend and composer for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - Jaz Coleman. However, the events in the film now subtly diverge from reality in such a way as to make this a truly magical and outstanding film. The open documentary style means you never have to suspend your disbelief, or question the increasingly odd occurrences that surround the band. The fact that all the musicians play themselves, and that there's no "acting" only adds to the film's charm and ability to delight.

I totally disagree with Phil Carmody's opening statement about skipping the first 2 minutes. This section may seem totally irrelevant at the beginning but makes complete sense by the end of the film.

I have watched this film at least 5 times and since I own the DVD (PAL format), I am certain to watch it several more times. Each time I watch the film I notice some details I had missed the time before. And the DVD extras help clarify some odd things that happen in the film.

Is this the Czech equiv of Spinal Tap? I would say yes and no. Spinal Tap is pure fiction whereas Rok Dabla incorporates truths from the lives of Jaromír Nohavica, Karel Plíhal, Jaz Coleman, and the band members of Cechomor. These truths however are very exaggerated, but still believable and very entertaining. It is important to remember that these people are real in the Czech Republic and the movie only adds to their mystique.

When watching this film, you should remember this is a film about Karel Plíhal. Quiet and enigmatic, all things in this movie happen because of him. Pay particular attention to the angel theme, especially the comments made by Nohavica about winning a guardian angel from his brother (this is key).

If you can, watch the movie with some Czechs, they can better translate some of the happenings better than the sub-titles can. Especially the lyrics to the songs. Many jokes are at play that are completely missed by the sub-titles.

If you can't get some of the deeper meanings in the film, at least come away knowing Nohavica's Alcoholic Hill!

I've bought the DVD during the trip to Ostrava in Czech Republik, only 70 km from my home in Poland. For years I'm a big fan of Jaromir Nohavica. One time I've even have seen him on Hlavni Trida in his hometown Ceski Tesin, walking from the checkpoint on the Olza River which divides this town between two countries. This movies shows Nohavica's life philosophy and his struggle with alcohol addictions but also gives a chance to hear some of his ballads. Other great moments are about CZech folk group Cechomor (Ceskomoravska Nezavisla Hudebni Spolecnost), now a great stars in the republic and dealing with growing popularity. Worth seeing for all cost. Last month the movie was in polish cinemas, greatly applaused by the critics but, I'm afraid ignored by the audience who is hungry only for next Matrix, Harry Potter or Lord of Rings. Sad.

PS : DVD is with polish subtitles (woow!!). Important for the people who are not familiar with Czech language