Amerika: The Dark and Surprising Vision of Vladimír Michálek

Had it not been for this year’s Karlovy Vary Film Festival, I might have completely forgotten about Amerika, directed by Vladimír Michálek. Upon revisiting the film, I was pleasantly surprised, especially by its dark and visually rich presentation. Although I am not familiar with Kafka’s novels, I get the feeling that the adaptation succeeded, at least in terms of its visual elements. Michálek’s vision of early 20th-century America drew me into a world filled with darkness and despair, where every detail in the visual design seems meticulously crafted. The visual aspect of Amerika is undoubtedly its strongest feature. Michálek masterfully creates an atmosphere that is both depressing and visually captivating. The film's settings and overall aesthetic evoke a sense of alienation and loss, which aligns with what I understand to be Kafka’s style, even though I’m only acquainted with it through this film. While I have reservations about the final scene, which I found somewhat misplaced, the rest of the film captivated me with its visual execution. When it comes to the performances, my feelings are mixed. Jiří Lábus and Martin Dejdar deliver performances that might be more fitting for television commercials rather than a serious film. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if their overacting was intentional. Perhaps they were trying to emphasize the absurdity and grotesqueness of the world Michálek has crafted. Although these stylized performances left me with conflicting impressions, they didn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. The film’s conclusion somewhat reminded me of the "green" ending in Blade Runner, which Ridley Scott originally didn’t intend. Similarly, I have the sense that Kafka wouldn’t have envisioned such an ending either. However, I must acknowledge that Amerika showcases the diversity of Vladimír Michálek’s filmmaking. Each of his films brings something new, and while I have my critiques of Amerika, I cannot deny that Michálek once again hit the mark.