Clownwise

I was looking forward to Clownwise from the moment I found out it were being made, and I'm so glad it didn't disappoint me in any respect. The story is a beautiful combination of tragedy and comedy, and the actors act masterfully (the masked and venomous Jiří Lábus, the perfect non-acting Oldřich Kaiser, the two French actresses - especially Kati Outinen - and their colleague Didier Flamand). The whole thing is very well filmed not only by the standards of domestic film, but also thanks to Ostrouchov, with the help of long shots and all sorts of camera angles, and the script shows the great and difficult life experience of Boris Hybner... Clownwise is literally like life, I guess. For a while it moves you, for a while it entertains, for a while it slows down and makes you think. In short, this a beautifully sad and balanced film that can also warm you up. However, I can't believe it last two hours. (22/11/2013)

Clownwise is a very strange movie. As far as the directing goes, Viktor Tauš is enjoying perfect filmmaking and really beautiful camerawork that shows some of the gorgeous locations in the Czech Republic, but also Finland or Luxembourg. What’s worse was the story that takes a while to get into, because it’s not completely open to the viewer and you need to give it some time. You also need to get used to the crazy Finn Kati Outinen who learned how to speak Czech or the melancholic duo Kaiser – Lábus and their third colleague portrayed by Didier Flamand who is dubbed in the Czech audio. As soon as all of that falls into place, the story begins to grow on you after about an hour of watch-time. Then you realize that this movie is a truly significant European event that even our small nation of Czechia played a huge part in, which is such a joy. It makes you all teary-eyed, just like the story itself that’s managed to become personal for you. And that’s what this movie is about. It’s complicated, the journey towards it is trying, but the result is unforgettable. (07/07/2014)

I am beginning to believe once again that the power of individuals can at least sustain Czech cinema. Co-production is the path to success. The immortal domestic duo of Kaiser/Lábus, supported by Jeníčková, and together with Flamand and Outinen, create something new and necessary. (03/05/2014)