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Moravia, Beautiful Land

director: Petr Šprincl

original title: Morava, krásná zem

country: Czech Republic

year: 2015

running time: 30 min.

synopsis

An experimental western horror film set in Moravian Slovakia brings a new perspective to the legend of St. Wenceslas. Against the shabby backdrop of village merrymaking, the legendary Prince Boleslav, a wine-cellar zombie, fights with his brother over the nature of Czech statehood and a plate of tomato beef stew. This film essay about the mythology of Bohemian and Moravian nationalism is a sarcastic depiction of meaningless tribal rituals that promote national identity but severely restrict “otherness”. The film sabotages the sanctity of folklore through the use of archaic film and video formats containing a number of mistakes and defects, a schmaltzy mix of brass band music, and the contrapuntal nature of the commentary.

Detail: “The song Morava, Beautiful Land by the Bojané Band is dedicated to Saint Wenceslas, probably born in Prague, and on his way to visit his brother Boleslav. Wishing him an uneventful journey, a jaunty pace, and spring to his step.”

biography

Petr Šprincl studied under Václav Stratil at the FAVU Studio of Intermedia in Brno. He is the co-founder of the Flesh & Brain art project, which focuses on producing audiovisual projects. To date, the Jihlava IDFF has screened his short films Blue Box (2013) and Warped Ján (2014), both made in collaboration with Marie Hájková. The latter received the Main Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 12th Festival of Film Animation in Olomouc.

more about film

director:	Petr Šprincl
cast:	Jan Kovář, Adam Moczerniuk
producer:	Petr Šprincl
script:	Lukáš Jiřička
photography:	Lukáš Jiřička, Petr Šprincl
editing:	Marie Šprincl, Petr Šprincl
music:	DH Bojané, Mojmír Měchura
sound:	Mojmír Měchura, Tomáš Procházka

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