The Courthouse | Saturday 26th | 7 pm | Sponsor: Fred & Jo Madden, Hilton Park
This coming-of age story with a difference is a prime example of the creative explosion of the late 1960s and early 1970s that was the Czech New Wave.
Director: Jaromil Jireš- 77 minutes, Czechoslovakia 1970, Cert:15
- Cast: Jaroslava Schallerová, Helena Anýzová, Petr Kopriva, Jirí Prýmek
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders chronicles the sexual awakening of the titular character through encounters with vampires, waifs, weasels, lechers, and self-flagellants in a hallucinatory dream world.
Based on the avant-garde novel by Vítězslav Nezval, a key figure in Czech surrealism, this coming-of age story with a difference is a prime example of the creative explosion of the late 1960s and early 1970s that was the Czech New Wave. With its stunning visuals and potent mix of fairy tale, horror, and surrealism, Valerie and Her Week of Wonders is held in great affection by those who have ever had the pleasure to experience it.
Adding in no small measure to the hauntingly beautiful images is Luboš Fišer’s exquisite score, the master tapes of which had long believed lost. It took musician, DJ, and record label owner (of the brilliant Finders Keepers Records) Andy Votel, a long-time champion of the film, years to unearth them in the vaults of a Prague film production company. Thanks to his tireless efforts, they have been transferred to vinyl and CD and are now available to relish by all Valerie aficionados.
Andy Votel will introduce this very special screening and tell us more about the film and its formidable score before spinning the decks (proper ones!) at the Clones Film Festival Club in Adamson’s later in the night and present the audience with some very eclectic tunes. Not to be missed!
“Once seen, Valerie is difficult to forget” – Kinoeye
“Surreal and, at times, achingly beautiful” – All Movie Guide
