In 1942, in a small town in Czechoslovakia, the poor carpenter Tony Brtko is assigned "Aryanizator" of a small shop on the main street by his fascist brother-in-law Mark Kolkotsky. His greedy wife Evelyn is seduced with the promise of fortune, but Tony finds that the store owned by the deaf and senile seventy eight year-old widow Rozalie Lautmann is bankrupted and the old lady is financially supported by the Jewish community that promises a salary to him to help her.
I have come to feel that the Czech film of the 1960s may be one of the best places and best decades in the history of film. The "new wave" there is far more interesting than anything that came out of France or Italy, and was a decade ahead of the United States.
This film manages to be a serious examination of an ethical conflict but still has a hint of humor and gaiety. Not enough to be offensive or dismissive of the subject matter, but just enough to remind us of the glorious Czech new wave.
I have come to feel that the Czech film of the 1960s may be one of the best places and best decades in the history of film. The "new wave" there is far more interesting than anything that came out of France or Italy, and was a decade ahead of the United States.
This film manages to be a serious examination of an ethical conflict but still has a hint of humor and gaiety. Not enough to be offensive or dismissive of the subject matter, but just enough to remind us of the glorious Czech new wave.