One is unlikely to forget this fantastical comedy from director Vojtěch Jasný, winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes in 1963.
In a dual role, much-loved Jan Werich plays the storyteller-castle warden and magician Oliva, who arrives in a small town with the charming artiste Diana (Emília Vášáryová) and a feline protagonist wearing glasses. This cool cat holds the screen as a people watcher, who, besides sleeping, eating and snuggling, unveils the true colours of citizens when its glasses are removed. Liars are violet; the unfaithful turn yellow and red glows out of the love-struck.
But, fearing that this feline character ultimately sees too much, shady figures in town – those who wish to hide their ‘bad things’ – plot a plan to steal the tomcat.
Indulge in this one-of-a-kind Czechoslovak new wave classic with a new restoration that plays as charmingly as a wonderfully multicoloured dream.
