Sun, Hay and a Few Slaps

The pinnacle of the agrarian comedy genre. You don’t see something so cruelly redneck every day. I watched it with a similar delight with which I sometimes listen to a song by a bad cover band. It's so stupid that it makes you laugh. Honestly naive, shallow and at the same time perversely true in a special way. The stupidity of some of the gags is so crystalline and undiluted that they got me even on the 100th attempt. Although it is a bit beyond the bounds of good taste, it still manages to stick to a certain standard and rough pattern, which gives the film a kind of integrity. If I want to see the real essence of Czech rednecks, I will watch Sun, Hay and Slaps. I do not intend to address whether it is such a redneck film intentionally or unintentionally. It just works. Real film compost with an unforgettable aroma of cow dung and manure. (02/02/2006)

The Italians have Bud Spencer and Terrence Hill to give them punch ups. We have Helena Růžičková and Standa Tříska. And now, tell me who of them is better. Personally, I think that Helena would knock them down with a one-two. But those Italian guys would have to make a visit to Hoštice, Czech Republic (and in the very next episode it almost looked like this would happen), but even these two aren’t that hard. Yellow bellies. I’m a yellow belly too and I know one thing. I don’t intend to encounter this ingratiating comed... um, tragedy of Troška’s ever again. (10/06/2008)

Amusing moments are overshadowed by excessive loudness, and despite several well-suited performances, I simply cannot reach a higher rating. I used to be more forgiving, but Troška's roaring pride in rural life is just unbearable with distance. (23/12/2004)

The last episode of Troška’s Hoštice folk show is by far the most solid. In addition to plenty of brutal gags that hit the target repeatedly thanks to the natural actors, this time there’s also some sort of a story that manages to give a bit of direction to all the disjointed yokel silliness. And really, the last few minutes work in a very peculiar and effective way. It’s hard to admit, but I think this heartfelt farce belongs to the Hall of Fame of Czech comedies – that bad predecessor is a shame. (12/02/2020)

I think that the first film "Sun, Hay, Strawberries" was very close to being brilliant. A completely simple film about what life is like in the countryside. It doesn't stem from suffering, but from situations that are funny. At the same time, we come to the realization that what is funny is also quite biting. Life in the countryside is fun, but at the same time, it shows our side that we can be ashamed of. I have often heard people say that they don't like this series because it shows what Czech people truly are. Yes, it does show. "Sun, Hay, and a Few Blows" showed two unbearable human qualities. The first is lying and the second is the effort to be better than others at all costs. "If you're an engineer, well then we..." That's a classic phrase, which has become popularized, but at the same time, it shows the true nature of Škopková, who is just an example of the head of the family, whom no one will challenge. It doesn't matter what she does or how she achieves it, she just has to be better at all costs. The result ends up being a failure and the entire family is ridiculed, but they still have to pursue their foolish goal. That goal is to marry off their daughter at all costs to someone who is "worth it". The first is the chubby Josef, the second is the slightly slow doctor Kája. Neither of them is exactly a catch, but in Škopková's eyes, they are the best choices. They must show that their Blažena is capable. Youth goes against old age at all costs, and vice versa. Who is supposed to win? And is there actually a winner? The conclusion shows that there isn't really, everything must be resolved in a proper battle, which is the symbolic and real climax. People are fighting each other head-on, friendships are ending, and everyone is hitting each other. When it's over, there is calm. Nothing has changed, the hard sticks haven't achieved their goal, and the village can continue on in the life that is left for its residents. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/12/umirajici-zvire-4-vanoce-slunce-seno-2.html (03/03/2013)