Identity: Black Peter

Black Peter

Czechoslovakia / 1963 / 85 min. / dir.: Miloš Forman / audio: Czech / subtitles: English

The main character is a young boy who uncertainly walks into adulthood. He works in a shop where he is supposed to prevent customers from stealing, however, he does not have enough courage to capture the thief or at least reprimand him. After the shift he spends time with his friends and family but he doesn´t really get along with anyone. Their conversations mainly consist of platitudes, questions without answers and monologues without a point.

There is no comprehensive story but rather loosely connected episodes in which Forman shows his heroes doing everyday activities and tries to capture the spirit of the times. The characteristics of the film are absurd humor and accurately captured everyday life. To the autenticity of the films adds it´s documentaristic character, which lies in nonviolent direction and casting of non – actors in some roles.

The picture was screened in 1964 in Locarn and Venice, KVIFF intorduced the film in 1997 in the section “Stories of Miloš Forman.” The film was digitalized in 2017 and rereleased in Venice.

After the screening you can look forward to the opening party