Agáva

Inspired by Slovak author Ladislav Ballek's novel The Acacias (Agáty), this seemingly simple, even banal love story belies a powerful psychological study of a range of characters. The film is set in the critical period immediately after WWII. Behind closed doors, there is already talk of the "Victorious February" coup d'état that will erase nearly an entire generation of Slovak intelligentsia from the history books. Agave is the feature-length directorial debut of seasoned, award-winning screenwriter Ondrej Šulaj, for whom the work of Ladislav Ballek is a lifelong companion, accompanying him throughout his theatre, television and film career. He adapted Ballek's novel Helper (Pomocník) into a stage play, and it was also the basis for his first filmed screenplay. When drawing on Ballek's expansive epic The Acacias for his debut, Šulaj restricted himself to the primary themes of second chapter, narrowing the complex tapestry of characters into an intimate drama of four central figures: old doctor Varga, master builder Hampl, his young wife Naďa and the similarly young teacher Daniel. (Art Film Fest)