Description
The Elementary School / Obecna skola
Synopsis
A cheerful, vibrant, colorful, Czech gem of a comedy by director Jan Svěrák... The Elementary School is the full-length directorial debut of Jan Svěrák, who had already caught attention with his FAMU graduate film, the stylized documentary Oil Gobblers, which won him a Student Oscar. The screenplay for "The Elementary School" was penned by the director's father, Zdeněk Svěrák, as an autobiographical reminiscence of childhood, infused with humor, wisdom, and understanding of human frailties. He also created one of the main roles, a character based on his own father. The story unfolds in a boys' school class in a Prague suburb in the first year of liberated Czechoslovakia. This class drives teacher Maxová to a nervous breakdown, and in her place comes the strict and mysterious teacher Igor Hnízdo, supposedly a hero of military actions. However, he may well be just a charlatan, with his participation in World War II battles being dubious. Yet, his victory in the battle with the fifth grade is undeniable. The boys admire him and believe in his innocence even in a delicate accusation... The key character of the story, teacher Igor Hnízdo, marked Jan Tříska's famous comeback after a thirteen-year exile. In other roles, you'll encounter Libuše Šafránková, Rudolf Hrušínský, Ondřej Vetchý, Daniela Kolářová, and Eva Holubová. The film also features several Czech directors – Irena Pavlásková, Jiří Menzel, and Karel Kachyňa. The remarkable camera work of F. A. Brabec also contributes to the film's impact. In 1992, the film was nominated for an Academy Award.
Product Details DVD
Length 100 min.
Production Year 1991
Audio Czech
Subtitles English, Czech
Format DVD (PAL)
Region All
Product Details Blu-Ray
Length 100 min.
Production Year 1991
Audio Czech
Subtitles English, German, Spanish, Czech
Format Blu-Ray
Region B
Director Jan Sverak
Cast Jan Triska, Zdenek Sverak, Libuse Safranková, Vaclav Jakoubek, Radoslav Budac, Marek Endal, Rudolf Hrusinsky, Irena Pavlaskova, Ondrej Vetchy, Daniela Kolarova, Eva Holubova, Rudolf Hrusinsky ml., Petr Cepek, Bolek Polivka, Zdenek Mucha
Also Known As:
Argentina - Los dueños del colegio
Brazil - Lições de Infância
Germany - Die Volksschule
Spain - Escuela primaria
Finland - Poikaluokan vintiöt
Greece - To dimotiko sholeio
Hungary - Általános iskola
Poland - Szkola podstawowa
Russia- Начальная школа
Czech - Obecná škola
Note for US customers: It might not play on some US DVD players, Multi-Region and Multisystem PAL/NTSC DVD player is required, Please check your DVD player