Some Like It Czech: Summer Farewell with a Movie “Secluded, Near Woods”

The screening cycle Some Like it Czech bids farewell for the summer with one of the most iconic Czech movies of the last century.

Screened on the 14th of June with English subtitles, this breezy classic SECLUDED, NEAR WOODS will enlighten you to the secrets of Czech summer cottages, mushroom picking, and DIY magic. Directed by an Academy Award winner Jiří Menzel and penned by Ladislav Smoljak and Zdeněk Svěrák, this film will be your getaway ticket to the Czech countryside.

The movie (watch the trailer) follows the Lavička family on their journey to buy their dream summer house while getting themselves into many comical situations caused by their inexperience with the rural life.

The scenarists Ladislav Smoljak and Zdeněk Svěrák, a famous Czech duo that also stands behind The Jára Cimrman Theatre, wrote the script based on their own experience while looking for a cottage, which was an unenviable ordeal back in the days. Czechoslovakia was closed off from the world, and almost all citizens sought to escape from the regime to their cottages.

Thanks to the real-life inspiration and indisputable talent of the authors, the movie beautifully depicts the love of Czechs for nature, mushroom picking, blueberries picking, their fondness for improving their cottages and all sorts of DIY projects. All wrapped up with an unmistakable bohemian humor, packed with zillions of catchphrases Czech love to quote such as “Chčije a chčije”. We will leave the translation up to you…

Although this movie is from 1976, it holds a significant cultural context for the time it was set in. Best it would be described with this quote from the director Jiří Menzel himself: “When it became clear that the Russians would not leave Prague after 1968, and Husák’s regime began to consolidate, the mood here was under the weather. Everyone here just cursed, moaned, complained. (…) It was clear that people needed some uplifting comedy.” And sure they got it. 

By screening this legendary comedy, a project Some Like It Czech will conclude its second season. “In the last 9 months we held 9 events, which were attended by almost 2000 wonderful visitors who learned a thing or two about the culture, history and language of our small but mighty country,” says one of the organizers Šárka Bekrová. 

All these screenings are usually accompanied by English subtitles and quick movie introduction so that foreign viewers could better understand the context of the film. This time, it will be no different. A brisk introduction will be provided by Prague comedian Grant Gallacher, who will have you rolling with laughter as he recounts that unforgettable moment when he found himself trapped in a friend’s cottage…

Throughout the evening, the brave ones can also take part in a special mushroom picking game. This is not, however, the last goodbye, the cycle will be back in full force this September, with an absolutely packed schedule, and there will even be some novelty in terms of a double feature, but shhhh… don’t tell anyone!

So, grab your straw hats and come see this beautiful, breezy film the 14th of June at cinema Aero (tickets), right before the summer starts and all Czechs begin emigrating to their cottages once again. 

If you want to know more about the event and the project itself, follow Some like it Czech on Instagram (@some_like_it_czech) or Facebook (@Somelikeitczech).