A group of friends picnicking in the woods are accosted by intruders who force them to play a set of ridiculous party games. Director Jan Němec’s absurdist parable on the behavior of authority figures is a landmark of the Czech New Wave and a satirical portrait of power. The film was banned in Czechoslovakia from 1966-68, as the authorities saw it as an attack on the then communist government. It then was banned again and not released until Soviet rule ended. In France, the film was accepted into the 1968 Cannes film festival, but the festival was canceled in solidarity of revolts happening in Paris at the time. Ultimately, the film became an international success when it was released at the New York Film Festival. As part of the golden age in Czechoslovak filmmaking, director Jan Němec established himself as one of the most inventive filmmakers in a group that included Oscar-winning directors Miloš Forman and Jiří Menzel.

Join us for a special evening of the popular Lions of Czech Film program in the majestic main theatre in celebration of the Avalon’s Centennial! A dinner of Czech cuisine prepared by the Czech Embassy’s Chef (beef goulash with bread and apple strudel) is available for a limited number of guests. An introduction by Michal Bregant, Director of the Czech National Film Archive in Prague, will open the screening, and, a Q&A follows the screening.

Michal Bregant is the director of the Czech National Film Archive, which is tasked with preserving the Czech Republic’s rich cinema heritage and oversees over 150 million meters of film. Previously, he headed the prestigious Film and Television Academy of the Performing Arts (FAMU).

Event Information:

Doors for Dinner and Movie – 7PM (limit of 135 available)
Doors for Movie Only – 7:30PM
Film Introduction – 7:45PM
Film Start – 8PM
Film Q&A – 9:15PM