REVIVAL (Alice Nellis 2013)

Revival was my favorite film of the festival. It had everything that I look for in a film.  It was funny and lighthearted, the relationships between characters were beautifully developed, the story was unique and interesting, the music and sound track were fantastic.  The cinematography was fantastic, the editing, the coloring, the acting, the costuming,…  I can’t think of a film that I have enjoyed more.

Revival is the story of a rock and roll band, Smoke, that are called back together, after 40 years, to play at the funeral of Vasek’s wife. They come up with an idea to pull the band back together, hoping to profit the failing recording studio of Milan. Revival examines the lives of the four band members and what has become of them in the 40 years. Milan, the keyboardist, has married a younger woman and started a family.   Vasek, the guitarist,  patiently teaches music to young children, and has a son, who is quite successful as a vocalist in his own rock and roll band.  The head vocalist, Ota, is still very sexy and still running around with young woman without committing to a relationship.  Ota has a good heart, a good voice, a good stage sense and a great attitude.  Karel is the new age man, who is married and living with his bizarre wife who controls every aspect of his life. 

Karel has never been man enough to tell her what he really thinks which makes for hilarious scenes.

The relationships were expertly developed… emotional, touching, funny, and easy to relate to. The parent child relationships were outstanding, beautifully portrayed. The love between these four men shone through as an example of how caring, comical and sweet life should be.