Weil wir sie lieben

A pathetic game by debutant Blažena Holišová, schematic figuration by Vašová, Zázvorková and others... The emotionally overwrought Pešek and the aloof Höger reign over it all. More than an appeal, it's a game of nerves. It was not a good idea to move the gossip to the square. (08.03.2011)

School for Fathers is one of several problematic social-critical films from the 1950s that were dealt a cruel blow by the Bánská Bystrica Conference when it was banned in 1959. Fortunately, today it is not difficult to access this thematically sensitive film. The ideological conflict between an individual in the form of a thoughtful and spirited teacher and a society that tries to suppress any hint of rebellion can still captivate today. This film has both an attractive theme and an excellent performance by Karel Höger in the lead role, and I would also highlight the smaller role of Ladislav Pešek. In short, a very bold film, which was unfortunately made in a time that certainly did not favour films of this kind. (05.07.2015)