The Czech Republic will be represented in the main competition by two titles. First-timer Slávek Horákʼs Home Care fixes its gaze upon a devoted home care nurse whom fate has decided to burden with an almost insurmountable obstacle, relating deadly serious issues with a gentle humor.

The uncompromising drama The Snake Brothers by Jan Prušinovský tells the story of Cobra and Viper, each of whom deals in his own way with the desolation and lack of funds in their small Central Bohemian town.

Helena Třeštíková´s Mallory will be in the documentary competition. Three Czech films are in the section East of the West: Journey to Rome by Thomas Mielnik, Dust of the Ground by Vít Zapletal and Zero by Gyula Nemes. David by Jan Těšitel will represent Czech cinema in the Forum of Independents.

THE MAIN COMPETITION

Home Care | Domácí péče

Director: Slávek Horák
Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, 2015, 92 min, World premiere
Everyone knows about the finality of human existence but the realization of life's actual limits comes to each of us individually and often unexpectedly. Dedicated home care nurse Vlasta (Alena Mihulová) lives for her husband Láďa (Bolek Polívka), her daughter, and her patients. But then one day things change and Vlasta is forced to react. This mature debut portrays deadly serious issues with a gentle humor.

The Snake Brothers | Kobry a užovky

Director: Jan Prušinovský
Czech Republic, 2015, 111 min, International premiere
This uncompromising drama tells the story of two brothers, who answer to the nicknames Viper and Cobra, each dealing in his own way with the bleakness, lack of funds, and the alcohol-filled evenings repeated ad nauseam in their small Central Bohemian town. Brothers Matěj and Kryštof Hádek excel in one of the must-see domestic films of the year.
 

EAST OF THE WEST

Journey to Rome | Cesta do Říma
Director: Tomasz Mielnik
Czech Republic, Poland, 2015, 100 min, World premiere
There are as many stories in the world as there are people, and Vašek, a timid guard at a gallery who becomes a reluctant painting thief, hears plenty of them on his train trip to Rome. This multilevel comedy road movie (on a train) and quest for the meaning of life is director Tomasz Mielnik's feature debut.

Dust of the Ground | Prach
Director: Vít Zapletal
Czech Republic, 2014, 95 min, World premiere
Two brothers, the elder married, the younger with a lover and a young child meet up at their parents' country place after the father has a stroke. A subtle family drama from debut director Vít Zapletal that distinguishes itself from the usual Czech production through its unaffected accent on the Christian faith.

Zero | Zero
Director: Gyula Nemes
Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, 2015, 83 min, World premiere
It's 2017. Bees are dying out and, in the words of Albert Einstein; humanity has only four more years left. Young radical ecologists set out to wage a ruthless battle for their survival. A formally inventive and thoroughly nonconformist vision of the fight against globalization.
 

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

Mallory | Mallory
Director: Helena Třeštíková
Czech Republic, 2015, 97 min, World premiere
Life hasn't been easy on Mallory but after the birth of her son she tries desperately to kick her drug habit, and to stop living on the street. She wants to turn her back on her dark past and help those she knows best - people on the fringes of society. In her latest long-term documentary, Helena Třeštíková demonstrates that even seemingly hopeless lives needn't be cut short halfway.
 

FORUM OF INDEPENDENTS

David | David
Director: Jan Těšitel
Czech Republic, 2015, 78 min, World premiere
At age 20, David is increasingly aware of how his mental illness influences his parents' behavior. So one evening he decides to run away to Prague where, alone, he has to face numerous tricky situations - as well as his own thoughts. This courageous and moody debut is crowned with a fine lead performance from Patrik Holubář.