Catalogue of Czech Television Programmes
Masks were part of the oldest myths and rituals. Placing a mask on his face, a human became a different being. He acquired magic powers, was able to talk to his Gods and deceased forefathers. He could call upon the mysterious forces of nature. Unbeknown to others, he changed human fates.In the past, festivities and ceremonies in which masks played an important role were part of life in the Czech countryside all the year round. It is wonderful and hardly believable, but some of these ceremonies involving the winter solstice and the spring equinox are still very much alive in the country, even these days. It is a totally spontaneous and absolutely authentic phenomenon, no folkloristic or ethnographical reconstruction. Impulses from modern civilization are mixed into the archaic customs. The masks are very attractive and many have been treasured in families for many generations. Thus we find this great folk theatre presented in the streets, the inhabitants of the whole villages being the actors. The half-forgotten rituals of the shepherd culture, fertility ceremonies, the rites of the phallic cult and reminiscences of bacchanalias have changed into an amusing collective game; a piece of natural play-acting forever influenced by a consciousness of the existence of important natural forces one would do well to observe.The documentary was made by the film shot collection method during the years 2000-2001.
SD | 52' | © 2001
director(s): Rudolf Adler
producer(s): Czech Television
scriptwriter(s): Rudolf Adler, Ludvík Baran
director of photography: Marek Jícha
original language: Czech
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