Film critic on why ‘Waves’ received several-minute standing ovation at Karlovy Vary
Jiří Mádl's new film Vlny (Waves) premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Monday night to a several-minute standing ovation. The film, set against the backdrop of the Prague Spring and the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, tells the story of a group of journalists from Czechoslovak Radio’s foreign service section who strive to continue telling listeners abroad the truth about what is happening under increasingly difficult circumstances. We spoke to film critic Vojtěch Rynda directly from the festival in Karlovy Vary to hear his impressions of the movie.
'Vlny' is being touted as one of the biggest Czech film successes in recent years. Do you agree with that assessment?
"It definitely looks huge - it's a really big experience with a high production value, and an interesting topic that could get international recognition. So yes, it definitely is one of the most visible Czech productions of recent years."
What did you think of the film personally - did you like it?
"I liked it a lot. It shows yet another piece of the puzzle that fits in the picture of the dramatic year of 1968 - both the Prague Spring when the nation was in hopes that the regime would change, and then the devastating invasion. So it really is something that will bring many memories to older audiences and at the same time it will show the era to younger audiences. It really pays attention to historical details, so it was a pleasure for me to watch.
"The only criticism I would have is that it's basically two films in one. In the first half, we see the way the international news office of Czechoslovak Radio was working on a daily basis, who is who and so on. Then, after the tanks come, the film switches to a war film mode. That's my only objection."
Do you think the film has any international potential or will it only be interesting to a Czech and Slovak audience?
"That's something that I actually discussed with Jiří Mádl. He would very much like the film to be internationally visible and understandable. He added the opening credits to explain the situation for this reason. So I think that yes, it can translate to international audiences as another piece of the puzzle of this dramatic era."
Some people were saying before the film came out that the topic of the Prague Spring and the 1968 invasion has been used as material for films so many times before - and yet the film was a huge success at Karlovy Vary and received a several-minute standing ovation. So why was it so successful? What made it different or what did it add to the subject that hasn't been done before?
"Unfortunately, I wasn't there at the Grand Hall, so I didn't see the ovation myself, but I can imagine that it was because it conveyed the optimism and the atmosphere of the Prague Spring and the heroism of the people working in the international news office, who were celebrities of their era. The other important aspect which might have contributed to its success is that it is a celebration of journalism - the will and desire to truthfully inform people about what's going on."
