Das Jahr des Teufels

I totally disagree with Phil Carmody's opening statement about skipping the first 2 minutes. This section may seem totally irrelevant at the beginning but makes complete sense by the end of the film.

I have watched this film at least 5 times and since I own the DVD (PAL format), I am certain to watch it several more times. Each time I watch the film I notice some details I had missed the time before. And the DVD extras help clarify some odd things that happen in the film.

Is this the Czech equiv of Spinal Tap? I would say yes and no. Spinal Tap is pure fiction whereas Rok Dabla incorporates truths from the lives of Jaromír Nohavica, Karel Plíhal, Jaz Coleman, and the band members of Cechomor. These truths however are very exaggerated, but still believable and very entertaining. It is important to remember that these people are real in the Czech Republic and the movie only adds to their mystique.

When watching this film, you should remember this is a film about Karel Plíhal. Quiet and enigmatic, all things in this movie happen because of him. Pay particular attention to the angel theme, especially the comments made by Nohavica about winning a guardian angel from his brother (this is key).

If you can, watch the movie with some Czechs, they can better translate some of the happenings better than the sub-titles can. Especially the lyrics to the songs. Many jokes are at play that are completely missed by the sub-titles.

If you can't get some of the deeper meanings in the film, at least come away knowing Nohavica's Alcoholic Hill!

Just seen this movie. The most striking thing about it was that it is almost a copy of the previous Zelenka's film on musicians - Happy End (Mnaga a Zdorp): large part is spoken in English by a foreigner who serves as an independent observer of the described Czech artist. I am not a fan of Nohavica or Plihal, but this was a pleasant movie. Nohavica is a folk star for masses of people without much presence in the media. Therefore, we will be grateful to Zelenka in the future to have this as a memory on the excellent artist.

I've bought the DVD during the trip to Ostrava in Czech Republik, only 70 km from my home in Poland. For years I'm a big fan of Jaromir Nohavica. One time I've even have seen him on Hlavni Trida in his hometown Ceski Tesin, walking from the checkpoint on the Olza River which divides this town between two countries. This movies shows Nohavica's life philosophy and his struggle with alcohol addictions but also gives a chance to hear some of his ballads. Other great moments are about CZech folk group Cechomor (Ceskomoravska Nezavisla Hudebni Spolecnost), now a great stars in the republic and dealing with growing popularity. Worth seeing for all cost. Last month the movie was in polish cinemas, greatly applaused by the critics but, I'm afraid ignored by the audience who is hungry only for next Matrix, Harry Potter or Lord of Rings. Sad.

PS : DVD is with polish subtitles (woow!!). Important for the people who are not familiar with Czech language

This is a strange film,not in a weird art-house kind of way, not a psychedelic kind of weird where strangeness is used to show how clever the film-maker is, but the kind of weird that sets the Coen Brothers apart from the usual Hollywood pack. The film centres on the life of Czech folksinger Jaromír Nohavicareal and his struggle of to give up drinking. Having been exiled from his homeland by the communist government for his dissident songs, his return to what was then Czechoslovakia was that of a people's hero. That he is utterly unknown outside the former eastern block countries is a little disconcerting for western viewers, but Slovak friends assure me it would be like seeing Johnny Cash, or Willie Nelson in the title role. In the east, his alcoholism and triumph over it were all well documented in the media, so the films initial start concentrating on his rehabilitation and the videoing of his therapy seems all too plausible as a genuine documentary.

As Jaromir continues his recovery, his guitarist and friend Karel Phiral becomes increasingly jealous of the support and friendship he's found in the detox asylum. Having been refused entry because he wasn't in need of any help, Karel begins to retreat further and further away from society. Worried about his friends mental health, Jaromir enlists the help of a Czech folk band to stage a fake funeral and jolt his friend out of his depression. This unlikely meeting of musicians ends up producing a rock and folk fusion band that tours Czechoslovakia.

A little strange you might say but not all that weird, what's strange is the tour did happen, Jaromir did stage a funeral for his friend and the folk band were indeed courted by punk legend and composer for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - Jaz Coleman. However, the events in the film now subtly diverge from reality in such a way as to make this a truly magical and outstanding film. The open documentary style means you never have to suspend your disbelief, or question the increasingly odd occurrences that surround the band. The fact that all the musicians play themselves, and that there's no "acting" only adds to the film's charm and ability to delight.

The easiest way to get maximum appreciation from this film is to skip the first 2 minutes. For some utterly bizarre reason there's a small selection of vox-pop mini interviews that introduce a comparative irrelevancy into the film, and severely lowered my expectations from the movie.

Fortunately, the guts of the movie had me hooked very quickly, music being one of the loves of my life, and the major and minor tribulations of musicians (really - not so much highs and lows but lows and lower lows) are ones that I'm not entirely unfamiliar with. Once you've made your way past the bottom of that depression, there are fortunately several highs for the protagonists, don't worry, so the film does cover the full spectrum. And there are plenty of smile-inducing moments, though this really isn't intended as a belly-laugh comedy.

I guess it would take a Czech to tell us how much of this documentary about a documentary is actually true, it's constructed so that everything apart from a few mystical bits is entirely possible.

Thinking about Spinal Tap is _not_ helpful while watching this film. Alas a few Tap-isms were, possibly accidentally, introduced into the film, but that could be due to Spinal Tap covering so many bases when it comes to the misfortunes of musicians.

Musically, the film is utterly beautiful, assuming that central/eastern European folk music doesn't annoy.

Definitely a film worth seeing. I saw it accompanied by green tea - but I suspect that next time I see it, and there will be a next time, I will accompany it with a few shots of vodka instead! Phil