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Valley of the Bees

Country: Czech Republic, Language: Czech, 97 mins

Original Title

Údolí vcel
  • Director: Frantisek Vlácil
  • Writer: Vladimír Körner
  • Producer: Vera Kadlecova

CGiii Comment

A curious Cold War film...

There is much to admire...the photography, the subject matter: a religiously fervent, gay Knight...celibacy and unrequited love.

Passionate subjects...without any on-screen passion.

Unfortunately, the story tends to drag itself towards an overly melodramatic denouement.

Brave, at times beautiful...but, unsatisfying.


Trailer...

 

The(ir) Blurb...

Ondrej, a young boy who loves bees and bats, is introduced to his new mother, a woman much younger than his father. He brings her a basketful of flowers which she starts to throw in the air and then gives out a shriek, as she discovers several bats in the bottom of the bowl. In a rage, Ondrej's father picks the boy up and hurls him against the wall. As the boy lays on the ground paralyzed the father promises the Holy Virgin to dedicate the boy to her if she spares his life. Ondrej survives and is raised in a strict Knightly Order, where he is mentored by a devout monk, Armin. But one day, an extraordinary event makes him doubt the Order and remember where he came from.

Cast & Characters

Petr Cepek as Ondrej;
Jan Kacer as Armin von Heide;
Vera Galatikova as Lenora;
Zdenek Kryzanek as Lord of Vlkov;
Miroslav Machacek as Brown Friar;
Josef Somr as Rotgier;
Vaclav Kotva as Farmer;
Jana Hlavackova as Blind Girl;
Frantisek Kovarik as Shepherd;
Josef Kotapis as A Collier