BLACK PETER (Miloš Forman, Czechoslovak 1964, 85 min.)

One of the first films to herald the arrival of the Czechoslovak New Wave, Miloš Forman’s stylistically inventive debut narrative feature follows the bumbling teenager of the title (Ladislav Jakim) over the course of a directionless summer as he starts (and fails at) a new job, flirts awkwardly, and grows increasingly exasperated with his parents. A refreshingly frank, unromanticized coming-of-age portrait, Black Peter (1964) captures the bewildering experience of adolescence with both empathy and sly humor.

In Czech with English Subtitles

REVIEWS

“Black Peter is about a small town's summer months, and I cannot remember a film so wonderfully sensitive to summer pleasures."

THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Great simplicity and freedom.”

THE GUARDIAN

“An irresistibly wry and witty look at life's little pitfalls, full of affection for every last one of the characters.”

TIME OUT

“Brilliantly reserved, unhurried, and understated.” 

LIVERPOOL ECHO

Sponsored by the Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum

Trailer