
TheheroineofthisdramaaboutinjusticeduringthecollectivizationoftheCzechcountrysideisaproudwidow,whoarrangesamagnificentfuneralforherrecentlydeceasedhusband.Thefuneralceremonyforthishonourablefarmerwhohadresistedthestate-sanctionedliquidationoffarmersandlandholdersistransformedintoamanifestationofresistanceagainsttheCommunistoverlords.ThisstoryofthestruggleagainstinjusticewasbasedonanovelbythedissidentwriterEvaKantÛrková,whoseofficialpublicationwasalsoprohibitedduring“normalization”.Sirov˘’sbestfilmhastheoutlineofaClassicaltragedyandisframedbysuggestiveshotsofthecountryside.Thefilm’slong-delayedpremierein1990wasbroadcastontelevisionandattendedbyPresidentVáclavHavel.During“normalization”thedirectorZdenekSirov˘(1932-1995)primarilymadehislivingdoingfilmdubbing.HedidmakeanumberofquiteordinaryadventurefilmsandafterthefallofCommunismheshotanadaptationofthepopularsatireTheBlackBaronsaboutconditionsintheCommunistmilitaryinthe1950s.Duringthefinalyearsofhislife,cutshortbydisease,hewasarespectedteacheratPrague’sFilmandTVSchooloftheAcademyofPerformingArts.

