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The first feature length puppet film of Jiří Trnka poetically reveals folk customs and traditions of the Czech countryside that have been preserved for centuries. A kind of cinematic suite based on Aleš’s “Collection of National Folk Songs”, it is made up of six related parts, each set in a different season. A lyrical narrative acted out by simple puppets is underlain by the music of Václav Trojan with motifs from folk songs sung by the children of Kühn’s choir.
The motion-picture, awarded the Gold Medal at the IFF in Venice, came about by joining six originally independent short films (Carnival, Spring, The Legend of St. Prokop, The Fair, The Feast and Bethlehem). Jiří Trnka, who shared not only in the production of puppets and scenery but also in the creation of the screenplay, could fully engage his sense for plasticity as well as his talent for set design, thus giving the genre of puppet film, otherwise considered undemanding, new form. Along with Hermína Týrlová or Karel Zeman, he started off the golden era of Czech puppet and, consequently, animated film which has been met with appreciation at international film festivals.
(Dafilms.cz)
Reviews (4)
Beautiful example of Trnka's animation for children, but not only for them. Unfortunately, I have some resistance to the rural environment as it is presented here, and it slightly spoils the whole impression for me. I particularly liked the first story, "Masopust" (Carnival), which literally enchanted me with its musical aspect. It really got to me.
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I once proudly want to admire the national treasure and end up helplessly staring at the space for review, because I do not know how to lie out of such disappointment. Little is as truly Czech, nationalistic, and suitable for international boasting as Jiří Trnka and Mikoláš Aleš. The reality, however, is that most of the time a brave children's choir sings robustly, which, combined with endless celebrations and holidays of chasníků and musicians, is a bit unbearable and, above all, not worth listening to. I would forget about the beautiful puppets and lots of ideas that Trnka later brings to almost perfection due to all the noise. Therefore, the legend of Saint Procopius stands out so conspicuously with its richness and atmosphere, while such a Spring seems endless. There is nothing left but to shake my head and literally turn to anything else from one of the domestic giants.
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The Czech Year was a modern project and an extraordinary artistic creation in its time, but after many decades, I have to say that I look at it with respect but without any emotional impact. I simply recognize it as a great classic, but at the same time, I feel that today's younger generation will not find it appealing. The Czech Year has simply become outdated in terms of its pace and visual concept. The current generation lives differently, and this world of folklore is as distant to them as a museum exhibition of old folk customs from the 19th century. I'm giving it 3 stars for the puppets and the knowledge that this film belongs to the golden treasury of Czech cinema, despite my distance from it. Otherwise, the Prague Philharmonic Children's Choir, Václav Trojan's music, and the somewhat outdated animation give me a dusty impression, which only contributes to an overall impression of 55%.
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This is admittedly a good film and can be described as the first full-length Czech puppet film, but not having a proper copy available and there are some things missing from the versions aired on TV.
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