A man swallowed by a hippo becomes the regime's greatest propaganda tool. Czechoslovakia, you magnificent weirdo.
The bank officer Bedrich Hroch is sent by the bank director to the zoo, which asked an allocation of one and half kg of gold for a gold tooth for a hippo. During the check up of the hippo's teeth Bedrich is swallowed by the hippo. The man does not die in the hippo's guts and he chats quite happily with his frightened wife Dása. Journalist Pip Karen, his friend is also present to the dialogue and he has immediately an idea how to use this special situation. He tells to the new minister Borovec and his opponent professor Fibinger that there is a hippo in the zoo which can speak. He also tells them how to use this situation for a political propaganda.
Writing
Biting political satire disguised as hippopotamus farce.
Practical Effects
Glorious 1970s hippo puppet and swallowed-man set design.
Director
Karel Steklý
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made during 'Normalization' after 1968 Soviet invasion, when Czech filmmakers faced severe censorship. The hippo-as-mouthpiece metaphor feels almost too on-the-nose for the era.
XC
