Arkkienkeli Gabriel ja hupakko

If a film can do without words and convey its thoughts and emotions through images, it is always a plus and a sign of creative invention and good craftsmanship. But in the case of Trnka, it is more than that, and it is not enough to say that he was able to rely on a well-known and strong literary source. Trnka processed the Decameron-like story to his own image, creating an original and distinct satirical work on the false morality of that time, hypocrisy, and the church's monopoly on education. Trnka does criticize the church strongly, but it has nothing to do with the then-official communist doctrine. His film is artistically embellished and truly represents the peak of his work in its own way. However, the difficulty lies in the fact that it is a film that requires focused attention and is at times abstract in its visual communication. It is appreciated by a minority of connoisseurs rather than the general audience. I most appreciate the sarcasm and attention to detail, where a single shot is enough to characterize a character and cleverly suggest what was happening behind the scenes. Overall impression: 95%. (12.08.2011)

Trnka's short film appeals to me from an experimental perspective, as it plays with both classical puppet animation and static illustration, or generally visual art. Technically, it is undoubtedly an interesting work, partly due to its almost silent execution. The animation itself sometimes feels a bit skeletal, disjointed, and choppy. The blending of different styles doesn't quite resonate with me, but that's a matter of taste. However, I won't be the only one. As I said, this is very distinctive and at times quite peculiar. The plot is difficult to decipher. (17.02.2014)