Black Peter (DVD)

Czech drama co-written and directed by Milos Forman

Presented from a brand new 4K restoration of the film, Second Run presents the stunning debut feature film of the late, great Czech filmmaker Miloš Forman (A Blonde in Love, The Fireman’s Ball, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus).

A wry and provocative comedy set in 1960s Czechoslovakia, Black Peter explores the passions and confusions of teenage life. Peter is tentatively taking his first steps into the adult world; he has a new job and a new focus for his burgeoning erotic fantasies - provoking conflict with the older generation. This key work of Forman’s emerging vital talent brought to the screen something that Czechoslovak filmgoers weren’t used to: an authentic testimony about the lives of young people.

With a cast of mainly non-professional actors, Black Peter conjures up a naturalistic and witty portrait of everyday life under totalitarianism. Full of charming performances, youthful spontaneity and a rock’n’roll soundtrack, the film helped launch the internationally acclaimed Czechoslovak New Wave.

Available on both Blu-Ray and DVD formats, Black Peter includes all-new special features including part one of an archival film-by-film interview with Miloš Forman, newly edited for this release with never-before-seen footage; audio commentary by film historian Michael Brooke, a filmed interview with actor Pavla Martínková and a booklet with new essay on the film by Jonathan Owen.