drama
director: Martin Šulík
screenplay: Ivan Arsenjev, Martin Šulík
Mr. Theodor Mundstock, a kind man, accustomed to living his little life, is a Protectorate Jew. He can't work in the rope shop, he can't walk in the park, he has to wear a yellow star. He sweeps the streets, cleans the apartments of the Jews who have been taken away, distributes summonses for deportation. He experiences brief moments of happiness only in his memories or with his old friends the Sterns and their perceptive son Simon. Nevertheless, he tries to find a way out of the hopeless situation. In his often naive fantasies he returns to the past and takes stock of the wasted life of a bachelor. In the process, he is haunted by his alter ego, the mysterious shadow of Mon, who takes away his false illusions about all that has been and will be with unrestrained truthfulness during sleepless nights. Yet Mr Mundstock realises that he must rebel against his inhuman circumstances. It is the only way to remain himself. He refuses to distribute summonses to others and accepts that it is his turn. At that moment, however, he receives a letter from the Sterns, who are leaving in a transport. They ask him to take care of Simon, who is staying for the time being. Mr. Mundstock at first sinks under the heavy task, but then begins to look for a way to save the boy. But there are few options.... This is an adaptation of the internationally acclaimed book by writer Ladislav Fuchs.
