Ucho (The ear)

In the late evening, Deputy Minister Ludvík and his wife Anna return to their villa from a reception with the President. Their electricity and phone line have been cut off. Ludvík believes his family are in danger. His senior minister has been arrested with others, and he is under threat too. When some unknown men ring the doorbell, Ludvík thinks he is going to be arrested. Instead, the uninvited guests make merry. After they leave, Ludvík finds a listening device in his home and tries to destroy documents which might incriminate him. A marital quarrel reveals old taboos. In the morning, the fearful couple is startled by a ringing telephone: Ludvík finds out he has been appointed minister.

Ucho is the story of a married couple set against the background of the repression of 1950s communist Czechoslovakia. It takes place during a single night. There is a sharp exchange of opinions between the couple, leading to a quarrel and eventually reconciliation in the morning light the following day. Jan Procházka and I wrote the script in haste, and we filmed it in haste too. We thought we didn’t have much time. Jan exploited his knowledge of the workings and figures in the Communist Party. He had personal experience of them, and his artistic vision and flair for drama resulted in a powerful story.

PRODUCTION: Filmové studio Barrandov

RESTORATION CURATED BY: Národní filmový archiv, Prague
Malešická 12
13000 – Prague, Czechia
Tel. +420 603282513
michal.bregant@nfa.cz
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: Universal Production Partners, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Czech Film Fund, Milada Kučerová and Eduard Kučera, Soundsquare

WORLD SALES: Juraj Machálek – Národní filmový archiv, Prague
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13000 – Prague, Czechia
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juraj.machalek@nfa.cz
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PRESS OFFICE: Jana Lohrová – Národní filmový archiv, Prague
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13000 – Prague, Czechia
Tel. +420 604305505
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