Synopsis
The tragic life of a woman
Marcela married Jiří in 1980. She could not foresee that she would have problems with her flat and her mother-in-law, that she would give birth to a daughter and that, two years later, she would divorce. Unravelling before our eyes is the authentic story of an ordinary woman in an inadequate social environment and a less than satisfactory relationship. A big shock awaits her in November 2005 when her 25-year-old daughter Ivanka tragically dies. Documentary filmmaker Helena Třeštíková was at her side even at the most difficult time of her life. After her story was aired in February 2006, television viewers began spontaneously expressing their sympathy… But her story continues. “I rather listen than talk” says Třeštíková, expressing a lasting philosophy which she also applied to the film project begun in the 1980s.
COUNTRY
CZECH REPUBLIC
PRODUCER
KATEŘINA ČERNÁ
PAVEL STRNAD
ANNA BECKOVÁ
GENRE
DOCUMENTARY FILM
CO-PRODUCER
SUPPORT OF THE STATE CINEMATOGRAPHY FUND OF CZECH REPUBLIC
RELEASE DATE
28. 2. 2007
SCREENING FORMATS
35 MM, SD FILES
RUNTIME
82 MIN
Trailer & Photogallery
Cast & Crew
DIRECTOR
HELENA TŘEŠTÍKOVÁ
WRITER
HELENA TŘEŠTÍKOVÁ
EDITOR
ALOIS FIŠÁREK, LENKA POLESNÁ, ZDENEK PATOČKA
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
JAN MALÍŘ, MIROSLAV SOUČEK, VLASTIMIL HAMERNÍK
SCRIPT EDITOR
MICHAEL TŘEŠTÍK, DARJA MACÁKOVÁ
SOUND DESIGNER
ZBYNĚK MIKULÍK, PETR PROVAZNÍK, JAN VALOUCH
About the film
The life of Marcela, an ordinary Czech woman is explored throughout several decades of her life. The documentary observes several important societal issues. We are engaged to struggle and fight back with Marcela as her tragic life unfolds before our eyes especially dealing with her daughter’s unexpected death which almost drives her too suicide. However, the responsibility she feels for her retarded son gives her the will to survive. The making of Marcela was initially part of a six-part series on Czech television about the fate of six married couples but the events that happened throughout Marcela’s life arose a wave of solidarity from the Czech public who sent her money and personal support. This was the reason why Helena Třeštíková decided to focus solely on a documentary about Marcela. The distressing destiny of Marcela’s life and the act of human support from the Czech public was therefore, worthy to be expressed in this film. She is currently looking forward for a better future.