Pearls of the Deep (Blu-ray)

Based on the stories of Bohumil Hraba, this classic Czech New Wave anthology features vignettes directed by Menzel, Nemec, Chytilová, Schorm and Jireš.

A manifesto for a new generation of young filmmakers, Pearls of the Deep (Perlicky na Dne) is one of the delights of the Czechoslovak New Wave.

Based on stories by Bohumil Hrabal, the film is a compendium of five films each showcasing the talents of individual directors Jirí Menzel, Jan Nemec, Vera Chytilová, Evald Schorm and Jaromil Jireš.

Each vignette demonstrates the differing styles of the five emerging filmmakers, each with unique approaches to Hrabal's multi-faceted tales of ordinary people and odd obsessions. Ranging from the surreal to the satirical and the romantic, the films capture the essence and spirit of Hrabal's work, and emerges as a joyous rallying cry for subversion and artistic expression.

"Generally anarchist and scaldingly farcical, the films look totalitarian life square in the eye, but they’re also living testaments to the era’s lovable, grungy Euro-slacker esprit... all five films are compelling time capsules of defiance and love"

The Village Voice