A Czech family inherits death itself for Christmas. What could go wrong?
The story of the black Christmas comedy Doblba! takes place in the extended Muk family. The main character is Karel Muk, a simple man with simple dreams, living a somewhat stereotypical married life with Tereza, the stepmother of Karel's daughter Valinka. In the words of the script: ... Karel worked for many years as a cemetery caretaker and liked to say: "Only death is certain," but he never admitted that it could affect him in any way. There wasn't much to praise him for. His brother Robert Muk, on the other hand, is a confident and practical businessman, and the youngest, Pavel, seems unable to decide whether to find meaning in life in protecting the Šumava forests or in erotic games with secretaries. One day, shortly before Christmas, the Muk family receives an unexpected inheritance.
Acting
Jaroslav Dušek's deadpan despair as cemetery caretaker Karel.
Writing
The inheritance twist that redefines 'family curse'.
Production
Gloomy Czech winter perfectly matches the Muk family's souls.
Director
Petr Vachler
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Doblba! belongs to the 'Czech Christmas comedy' tradition that deliberately subverts sentimental holiday expectations—a national coping mechanism after decades of communist-era forced optimism.
The Muk brothers are played by three of Czech cinema's most distinctive comedic actors, and their real-life friendship off-screen created the authentic sibling rivalry chemistry that drives the film.
CZ
