Cosy Dens

The pangs of first love may not be radical subject matter for a Czech film, but this family saga, from a novel by Petr Sabach, combines its more intimate sensitivities with a panoramic outlook on the mixed fortunes of three interwoven families swopping ideological and generational ire and occasional goodwill. Set over Christmas 1967 and the first few months of the following year, it was also one of the first Czech films to express the sense of betrayal felt by the nation after the crushing of the Prague Spring, a fact which ensured it was a palpable hit with home audiences. Dramatically and stylistically it's unexceptional, but the performances (especially by the young actors) are convincing, and the overall picture warmly and engagingly detailed.