Cinema
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Sen noci svatojánské
Jiří Trnka · 1959
Synopsis
Near Athens, on a June night, two pairs of unhappy lovers, a troupe of craftsmen in love with the theatre and the supernatural beings of the forest cross paths. In this wood full of spells, each lives his or her own dream adventure, in a musical puppet pantomime almost without words.
Context
With Jiří Brdečka, Trnka adapted the play as a musical pantomime for puppets, to music by Václav Trojan, who had already composed for the play in the theatre and on the radio; he nevertheless had to add a commentary where the plot became obscure. Shot in widescreen, the film was released on 25 September 1959; an American version of 1961 was given full dialogue and a commentary spoken by Richard Burton. It was its author's last feature film.
Who it is for
Seventy-six minutes, almost without words: the movement of the puppets and the music carry the story.
Prizes and reception
Grand Prix of the Commission Supérieure Technique at Cannes in 1959 and honorary medal at Venice; one of the high points of its author's work.