Jazz musician and trumpeter Beno is originally Slovak, but has been living in Prague for a long time. As a true bohemian, he does not recognize any limitations in his personal or artistic life. He is devoted to jazz with body and soul and despises any form of pop music. That is why he rejects the lucrative offers of his girlfriend, the successful singer Gábina. He also successfully faces the pressure of his much younger girlfriend-to-be and her defiant mother. Beno often has to pay for his tricks, but he accepts this with open eyes. Beno is ably supported by his friend, saxophonist Emil, known as Rampouch.
Acting
Jiří Schmitzer's deadpan saxophonist sidekick steals every scene.
Score
Authentic jazz performances, not soundtrack fakery.
Writing
Wry observations on artistic delusion and self-sabotage.
Director
Julius Matula
Marián Zednikovič
jazzový trumpetista Beno Vichnár
Jiří Schmitzer
Emil Vidlák zvaný Rampouch
Miroslava Pleštilová
Bohuna Kubíková
Jana Švandová
Vlasta Kubíková, Bohunina matka
Lucie Bílá
zpěvačka Gábina Kleinová
Zuzana Geislerová
letuška Alice, Vidlákova žena
Lubomír Kostelka
hajný Bouzek
Václav Knop
hudební dramaturg Vojta Verner
Libuše Pospíšilová
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Made during Czechoslovakia's dying days, the film's jazz obsession doubles as coded dissent — improvisation as freedom in a controlled society.
Lucie Bílá, playing pop star Gábina, was already Czechoslovakia's biggest actual pop singer; her casting is deliberate irony.
XC
