Réalisation:
Jiří MádlScénario:
Jiří MádlPhotographie:
Martin ŽiaranMusique:
Simon GoffActeurs·trices:
Vojtěch Vodochodský, Táňa Pauhofová, Stanislav Majer, Vojtěch Kotek, Martin Hofmann, Tomáš Maštalír, Igor Bareš, Marika Šoposká, Petr Lněnička (plus)Résumés(1)
One might think that Czech and Slovak filmmakers have already said all there is to say about the period around 1968 in Czechoslovak history. As Jiří Mádl’s outing shows, however, this crucial era in our modern history still has forgotten stories to offer that are worthy of our attention. The film revolves around the international news office at Czechoslovak Radio, a place full of talented individuals possessing broad insight, linguistic skills, and above all a commitment to honest journalistic work with a focus on the truth. An epic, dynamically shot, rewarding film, which embraces uncommon heroism in the face of an oppressive regime, the strength of fraternal ties, and the eternal themes of love, betrayal, morality, and hope. (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)
(plus)Critiques (5)
Jiří Mádl a réussi quelque chose qu'on ne voit pas souvent dans le cinéma tchèque contemporain : il a réalisé un film de qualité à l'échelle européenne. Il y raconte une histoire qui, sans pathos ni manichéisme, fonctionne bien comme témoignage historique, mais aussi comme parallèle avec notre époque et les événements récents pas que de chez nous. Les 130 minutes passent comme du bon vin et le film résonne positivement après la fin, comme en témoigne l'ovation du public lors de la première, cette année dans la grande salle du festival de Karlovy Vary. [KVIFF 2024]
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Jiří Mádl est parvenu à réaliser un film d'époque de qualité, capable d'enrichir le spectateur moyen par ses informations historiques. J'avoue ne pas avoir été au courant de certains protagonistes de la Radio tchécoslovaque liés aux événements du Printemps de Prague et je suis content d'avoir appris quelque chose sur eux grâce au film. Excellente distribution avec des acteurs actuellement très en vogue, notamment Vojtěch Vodochodský et Jan Nedbal. Le premier mentionné interprète brillamment sa confrontation au personnage principal, personnage fort ambigu menant de grands combats intérieurs. En somme, l'ensemble du film est très habilement réalisé, se hisse à un niveau pro et peut représenter la Tchéquie à l'étranger sans rougir. S'il fallait critiquer quelque chose, ce serait des broutilles, telles que le fait que Vojtěch Kotek en tant que Jiří Dienstbier ne me semble pas convenir – même pas la moustache ne peut sauver la mise. Je n'ai pas vécu à cette époque, mais je doute que des motels fonctionnant comme dans les films américains aient pu exister sur le territoire tchécoslovaque.
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I caught Waves during the third screening at the summer cinema, and it was still completely packed. That’s how much this film has resonated with the Czech nation. And honestly, it’s well-deserved. After so many years, here’s a movie that tackles an important topic in a quality and engaging way—something everyone should know about, especially the younger generations who need to remember what happened around 1968. With his third film, Jiří Mádl has truly cemented his talent, and I was captivated for over two hours, subconsciously applauding. Waves is a big film, not just in quality but in content. It’s written with a strong emphasis on objectivity and features some of the top Czech actors of today. There isn’t just one main hero here; the film portrays multiple characters whose actions are both black and white, deeply influenced by the times they lived in. It’s hard to blame them for the choices they made. The Czechoslovak Radio of that era definitely deserved a film like this.
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Of all of Jiří Mádl’s directorial efforts, which so far have always exhibited rather striking naïveté and unbelievability, Waves is by far the best. Among other things, that is because it does not suffer from the ills of his previous films. It is superbly prepared in dramaturgical terms and its carefully structured narrative seamlessly combines a very large number of story lines. The film is an example of top-rate craftsmanship in every respect, whether that refers to the period stylisation, costumes, acting or music. Thanks in particular to the driving music, dynamic editing and feel for building suspense, the scenes involving a clash between the police and student demonstrators, the arrival of tanks in Prague in August 1968 and the military assault on the Czech Radio building are comparable to many Hollywood action thrillers due to their intensity and spectacular execution. In the numerous well-written and varied supporting characters based on real journalists and reporters from the Editorial Office of International Life, who struggled with censorship during the Prague Spring and strived at all costs to keep broadcasting during the invasion, the prevailing feature is absolute clarity, in both their emotions and motivations. This important story deserved an honest, sophisticated and first-class treatment, so it is extremely pleasing that Waves ranks among the best in the context of contemporary Czech films.
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One might think that this is a topic that has been covered a hundred times, exhausted from top to bottom. However, I must refute all skeptics by saying that such a film about Czech history has not been made before. I knew almost nothing about the events at Czechoslovak Radio. I didn't know the names of the heroes who ensured free broadcasting until the last moments. Everyone should go to see Waves in the movie theater, not only because the film is worth it, but also because it is chillingly relevant and reminds us of situations happening not far from us. Waves has everything. It will give you goosebumps, move you, and make you laugh. Your adrenaline will rise, and you will desperately wish for the characters to come out well, even though you know it is a false hope. Excellent cinematography, perfectly fitting music, and the final soundtrack. Jiří Mádl, the actors, and everyone else who contributed to the film deserve recognition and for you to actually go to the movie theater.
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Annonces