Servants
Directed by
Ivan Ostrochovský
The year is 1980. Michal and Juraj are students at a theological seminary in totalitarian Czechoslovakia. Fearing the dissolution of their school, the tutors are molding the seminarians into a shape satisfactory to the ruling Communist Party. Each of the young students must decide if he will give into the temptation and choose the easier way of collaborating with the regime, or if he will subject himself to draconian surveillance by the secret police.
Director & Cast
- Director: Ivan Ostrochovský
- Starring: Samuel Skyva
- Starring: Samuel Polakovic
- Starring: Vlad Ivanov
- Starring: Vladimír Strnisko
Trailer
Photos
Reviews
- "[A] brilliantly crafted, atmospherically enveloping seminary drama."
- "Ostrochovsky delivers a series of striking visual images, often from unusual overhead angles. Starting with the very first shot — which follows a car driving a forlorn road at night — his bold, confident strokes accumulate into a sharp portrait of restrained, stylish and brooding power."
- "Servants is set in 1980, in the thick of communist Czechoslovakia during the Cold War era; however Ivan Ostrochovsky’s insidiously flinty, supremely assured and chillingly stylish second feature spins a story which is of utmost relevance today. [T]his is an unsettling rebuke of government control and ideological manipulation — as well as a sharp cry against compliance with the prevailing status quo."
- "[A]n impressionistic work of sharp beauty and cutting political insight."
- "[A] period piece which often takes on shades of a film noir. Poetically photographed and tinged by dueling metaphors of the sacred and profane...."
- "This is an austere and laudable drama enhanced by its stunning visual allure.... Servants is true to the spirit of Bresson...."
- "the most impressive thing about Servants is how Ostrochovský has managed to sustain the unrelenting tension and uncertainty throughout...."
- "[I]mpressive, filled with striking cinematography ...."
Winner
Best Director
Valladolid Int'l. Film Festival
Best Director
Valladolid Int'l. Film Festival
Winner
Best Music and Sound Design
Ghent Int'l. Film Festival
Best Music and Sound Design
Ghent Int'l. Film Festival
Winner
Best Direction
Festival Int'l. de Film Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Best Direction
Festival Int'l. de Film Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Winner
Best Original Score
Festival Int'l. de Film Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Best Original Score
Festival Int'l. de Film Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Winner
Special Jury Mention
Odessa Int'l. Film Festival
Special Jury Mention
Odessa Int'l. Film Festival
Nominated
Encounters Award
Berlin Int'l. FIlm Festival
Encounters Award
Berlin Int'l. FIlm Festival
Nominated
Best Film
Stockholm Film Festival
Best Film
Stockholm Film Festival
Nominated
Golden Spike
Valladolid Int'l. Film Festival
Golden Spike
Valladolid Int'l. Film Festival
Nominated
Best Directorial Debut
Camerimage
Best Directorial Debut
Camerimage
Nominated
Louve d'Or
Montréal Festival of New Cinema
Louve d'Or
Montréal Festival of New Cinema
Official Selection
New Directors/New Films
New Directors/New Films