After losing her husband, Jarmila finds herself at a crossroads in her life, where she must decide whether to patiently "wait out" the rest of her life or rebel and throw herself into an adventure with an uncertain outcome. Despite the well-meaning advice of her adult children, she chooses the latter. This involves living in a cottage in the romantic wilderness of the Mácha region, which her husband particularly loved. In addition, he bequeathed her a retired circus horse named Buka in his will, which at first glance seems like a cruel joke, because Jarmila is afraid of horses. With the help of her neighbors, she decides to face the situation head-on and soon discovers that, although it didn't seem like it at first, it is precisely this horse that could bring happiness back into her life.
Acting
Anna Cónová's deadpan rebellion is chef's kiss.
Cinematography
Mácha region looks like a moody Czech postcard come alive.
Writing
Nellis finds humor in grief without cheapening it.
Director
Alice Nellis
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Alice Nellis is a major voice in Czech cinema, and this continues her focus on complex women navigating absurd circumstances with dignity.
Buka is played by an actual retired circus horse—no CGI, just a diva with decades of curtain-call experience.
CZ
