Bitva o zivot

Three directors, Miroslav Janek, Vít Janecek and Roman Vávra, filmed life in the Czech village of Bystré. The economic circumstances are frightful here, unemployment is towering and even the last textile factory is closing its gates. ‘We thought life would improve after 1968, but that was not the case’, a factory worker who is on the brink of being fired says with a smile. Humour is important in the lives of the inhabitants of Bystré; humour, parties and a tremendous amount of liquor. The three directors, each in his own style, followed different villagers and activities: a farmer and his old mother, who easily drinks her son under the table; the re-enactment of a battle from World War II – during which the farmer’s tractor is lost amidst general hilarity; and the New Year party, an evening of varied entertainment.