3 Seasons in Hell

Slovakia

Watch Trailer
3 Seasons in Hell
Play Video

Synopsis

Synopsis

Prague 1947 - a time of sensuality, extravagance, wit and great expectations. Ivan Heinz, a good-looking dandy with a provocative sense of humour has just turned 19. Running away from home he devotes himself to the celebration of freedom, revolutionary politics and artistic aspiration. He lives for the moment, discards the past, writes poetry and blindly immerses himself in his own world of idealistic politics, surrealism and personal discovery. And life is good, when savoured through a haze of hedonism and in the company of a fascinating, stylish woman who awakes his powerful sexuality. Ivan throws himself whole-heartedly into a destructive romance with independent, bisexual Jana. The two lovers live an eventful life together, full of inspiring erotic games, arguments, and explosive laughter, against a backdrop of 1940s dance music and dramatic political change. The new Communist regime begins however to reveal its repressive side. Infatuated pleasure seekers, blind to the looming danger, Ivan and Jana are like light-footed dancers balancing on a razor blade. Thumbing their noses at work, they support themselves through petty theft. Weaving fantastic visions of their future, they plan their escape to Paris. But confrontation with the very regime that Ivan espouses comes harshly and unexpectedly. It is Ivan's tenacity and single-mindedness that allow him to survive the traumatic events that he has stumbled into. His redemption is as profound as it is unexpected.

Prague 1947 - a time of sensuality, extravagance, wit and great expectations. Ivan Heinz, a good-looking dandy with a provocative sense of humour has just turned 19. Running away from home he devotes himself to the celebration of freedom, revolutionary politics and artistic aspiration. He lives for the moment, discards the past, writes poetry and blindly immerses himself in his own world of idealistic politics, surrealism and personal discovery. And life is good, when savoured through a haze of hedonism and in the company of a fascinating, stylish woman who awakes his powerful sexuality. Ivan throws himself whole-heartedly into a destructive romance with independent, bisexual Jana. The two lovers live an eventful life together, full of inspiring erotic games, arguments, and explosive laughter, against a backdrop of 1940s dance music and dramatic political change. The new Communist regime begins however to reveal its repressive side. Infatuated pleasure seekers, blind to the looming danger, Ivan and Jana are like light-footed dancers balancing on a razor blade. Thumbing their noses at work, they support themselves through petty theft. Weaving fantastic visions of their future, they plan their escape to Paris. But confrontation with the very regime that Ivan espouses comes harshly and unexpectedly. It is Ivan's tenacity and single-mindedness that allow him to survive the traumatic events that he has stumbled into. His redemption is as profound as it is unexpected.

Selections

  • Feature Film Selection

Cast & Crew

  • Editing: Petr Turyna
  • Written by: Thomas Masin
  • Cinematography: Karl Oskarsson
  • Directed by: Thomas Masin
  • Produced by: Monika Kristl
  • Cast: Martina Huba, Karolina Gruszka, KryÅ¡tof Hádek, Jan Kraus
  • Production Design: Martin Kurel

Director's Statement

The film takes place in post-war Prague between years 1947-49, with an episode in Vienna, divided at that time into the Soviet-American-French military zones. Imagine a period tale of desire, of strong and passionate love between 19 years old poet Ivan Heinz and older, experienced, radiant Jana [who is also bisexual] that rushes towards its own destruction. This all winds through sometimes humorous, sometimes dangerous peripeties. Imagine a film that is rhythmically accented by swing and the dance music of the period. Imagine a film where an important visual level is played by the atmosphere of post-war, Kafkaesque and inspiring Prague and where a refreshing role is played by the rich surreal imagination of the leading characters. Imagine stirring action in which there is no lack of dramatic and surprising twists. Imagine a film about a fatal love of two strictly independent artists, which develops from playful moments and exciting sexual games just to culminate in a dramatic and hard clash with state power. Imagine a relationship from which the lovers emerge separated, yet richer of the strong and fateful experience. Imagine a film where love literally meets with death. I wish that the audience will leave the cinema with the feeling that it is worthwhile to live in "madness", keep up ones personal fight against the pressure of those "above" and that it's necessary to defend one's freedom and independence. Yet that humour and free imagination can be a strong weapon against any kind of oppression.

Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Email

Contact

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name