3 Seasons in Hell (3 sezóny v pekl)
2009 / Czech Republic-Germany-Slovakia / 110min
Dir: Tomáš Mašin /Screenwriter: Tomáš Mašin
Cast: Kryštof Hádek, Karolina Gruszka, Martin Huba, Luboš Kostelný, Miroslav Krobot
Postwar Prague, before the Communist era, is a scene of hope and energy.
Ivan Heinz (Kryštof Hádek), a would-be poet committed to the ideals of surrealism and world revolution, leaves his conservative home background, adopting a confrontational and bohemian lifestyle. He soon strikes up a relationship with the liberated and free-thinking Jana (Karolina Gruszka).
With the Communist takeover of 1948, his idealism comes face to face with Stalinism as members of the intellectual bourgeoisie are eliminated or attempt to leave the country. His and Jana’s plans to escape together to Paris are thwarted with tragic consequences.
Tomáš Mašin’s long planned debut feature was inspired by the autobiography of the underground poet and philosopher Egon Bondy, in which he tells of his relationship with the daughter of Milena Jesenská, Kafka’s girlfriend.
With meticulous period reconstruction and award-winning photography from Icelandic cameraman Karl Oskarsson, 3 Seasons in Hell provides an original and visually compelling portrait of the post war years.
Not suitable for under 16s