something like a foolish fire i guess

synopsis

This hybrid experiment blending documentary and fiction begins as a survey about petty shoplifting. Yet what starts as a relatively sober analysis of the systemic redistribution of surplus goods soon mutates into a conspiratorial sci-fi narrative, in which paranoid young protagonists discover connections between cryptozoology, technofeudalism and cosmic entities. With its distinctive lo-fi aesthetic, the film places the logic of contemporary consumerism on a par with the irrational belief in extraterrestrials. But what if a return to myths and magical thinking is actually the most effective form of collective resistance to today’s global crises?

“Why do we have to save the world?”

biography

Denisa Langrová (1996) graduated from UMPRUM in Prague. In her artistic practice, she focuses on the intersections between human and non-human animal narratives. Through themes of friendship, storytelling, humor, utopia, and magic, she seeks ways to disrupt oppressive systems. Her work has been showcased in several exhibitions both in the Czech Republic and internationally.

Michael Jiřinec (1993) is a Czech director and a graduate of FAMU in Prague. His cinematic style was significantly shaped by directors Karel Vachek and Béla Tarr, from whom he developed an eye for formal experimentation and a distinct, dry sense of humor. His auteur approach gained recognition with the film They Can Hear Your Smile, which won Best Short Film at the Job Film Days festival in Turin and was featured at numerous European showcases, including the domestic Pragueshorts Film Festival.

film details

director:	Denisa Langrová, Michael Jiřinec
producer:	Michael Jiřinec, Tomáš Šimon
script:	Denisa Langrová, Michael Jiřinec
photography:	Denisa Langrová, Michael Jiřinec, Kryštof Čížek
editing:	Denisa Langrová
music:	Jonáš Richter
sound:	Matěj Lindner

contact

Michael Jiřinec
michael.jirinec@gmail.com