A nice Czech two-part film about a real tragedy in a coal mine in Czechoslovakia in 1961, in which 108 miners died. Indeed sober colours give the movie a vintage atmosphere. The movie focuses in a specific family of miners, their issues and conflicts. The relationships and backgrounds are very well developped and that makes part 1 the best of both. Part 2 is more into the accident itself, and, while it is also well done, it rests in a lower level than the deep former segment. An important political issue appears throughout the movie: Eastern European regimes did not solve (did it partially at best) a core dysfunctionality of capitalism: people worked due deprivation and survival needs, and often did it in poor and deplorable conditions. Documentary testimonies enriches the film, while all actors have excellent performances.
