Autumn Spring

Director

Vladimír Michálek

Tagline

A comedy for the ages

Synopsis

A wry, bittersweet comedy in the classic Czech tradition, Vladimir Michalek’s AUTUMN SPRING stars the great Vlastimil Brodsky (CLOSELY WATCHED TRAINS, JACOB THE LIAR) as Fanda, an old man who refuses to grow up. Despite pleas from his exasperated wife Emilie (Stella Zazvorkova) and son Jara (Ondrej Vetchy), who want him to make some serious decisions about the future, Fanda ignores their nagging and spends his days seeking amusement and adventure. Aided and abetted by his longtime pal and former theatre colleague Eda (Stanislav Zindulka), Fanda keeps his acting skills sharpened by pretending to be a host of fascinating characters. One day he is a retired opera star in the market for an opulent country estate, next a ticket inspector on the Prague subway. Although Fanda bickers constantly with his wife, their bond is palpable – even if life with Fanda is frustrating, deep down Emilie also knows that at least it is never boring. But when Fanda fakes his own death, terrifying his family, Emilie decides she’s had enough and files for divorce. The couple soon realizes, however, that maybe Fanda is right – instead of old age being a time to take on worries, perhaps it is the time to shed them and live each day to the fullest.

With AUTUMN SPRING, Vladimir Michalek has created a delightfully subtle, moving comedy about age, marriage, friendship and the art of living. And with some 125 years of screen experience between them, Vlastimil Brodsky, Stella Zazvorkova and Stanlislav Zindulka give the performances of their lifetimes – filled to the brim with sly humor and grace.