Vratné lahve (2007)

Director:

Jan Sverák

Writers:

Zdenek Sverák (story)
Zdenek Sverák (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 March 2007 (Czech Republic)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Dreams | Our Father | Infidelity | Prayer | Lord's Prayer

Awards:

6 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Zdenek Sverák	...	Josef Tkaloun
Tatiana Vilhelmová	...	Daughter
Daniela Kolárová	...	Tkalounová
Alena Vránová	...	Headmaster
Jirí Machácek	...	Deputy headmaster Landa
Miroslav Táborský	...	Subrt
Martin Pechlát	...	Karel
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nella Boudová	...	Teacher Ptácková
Jan Budar	...	Úlisný
Pavel Landovský	...	Rezác
Filip Renc	...	Man with a cell phone
Jirí Schmitzer
Ladislav Smoljak
Vera Tichánková	...	Lamková
Ondrej Vetchý	...	Rezác jr.
Jan Vlasák	...	Wasserbauer

Also Known As:

Empties (International: English title)
Botellas retornables (Argentina) [es]
Butelki zwrotne (Poland) [pl]
Elämä kierrättää (Finland) [fi]
Leergut (Germany) [de]
Vuoti a rendere (Italy) [it]
Zoi se anakyklosi (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

Czech Republic:100 min | Argentina:100 min

Country:

Czech Republic | UK

Language:

Czech | German

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-7 | Czech Republic:U

Filming Locations:

Czech Republic

Company:

Biograf Jan Sverak

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Eliska is supposed to be a professional teacher of German, yet in the German sentences she speaks in the course of the movie, her German has a heavy Czech accent, much worse than that of her supposed student (listen to her pronunciation of the word "schoen", for example.) And, when Eliska is asked to translate the sentence, "I work for the city administration," her German translation makes no grammatic sense ("an der Stadtamt").

Movie Connections:

References Kolja (1996)

It's never too late for a career change

Vratné lahve (2007), directed by Jan Sverák, written by Zdenek Sverák, was shown in the U.S. with the title "Empties." The title derives from a second "career," undertaken late in life, by the protagonist Josef (Zdenek Sverák). Josef resigns from his position as a teacher and takes a job accepting returned glass bottles at a supermarket. Complications ensue. Josef isn't exactly an ideal worker, but he does establish a rapport with his fellow employees and with some of the customers.

Josef is married, but he and his wife are tired of each other. (Incidentally, his wife is played by Daniela Kolárová, who looks like the Czech Hellen Mirren.) Josef and his wife are both contemplating adultery, although that's not as easy for them as it might sound.

"Empties" is a comedy, but a comedy with a sad and bitter undertone. Everyone is looking for love, romance, and understanding, but mostly they're looking in the wrong places. Still, the film is worth seeing, especially because of the wonderful acting by Zdenek Sverák, who was outstanding in the film "Kolya" ten years ago, and is equally outstanding in "Empties."

Incidentally, the identical names of the actor/writer and director are not coincidental--they are father and son. That must lead to some interesting moments on the set.

We saw this film at the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. It will work pretty well on a small screen. It's definitely worth seeking out and seeing.