Identity Card

Prague, 1974. Petr and his classmates Popelka, Aleš and Míťa are ceremoniously presented with their identity cards at the age of 15. Officially, this is a landmark in the life of socialist citizens – in reality, however, it’s a document the police can use to humiliate and manipulate young rebels at their convenience. The four friends’ post-pubertal trials come to an end in 1977 when they attempt to acquire a “blue book” enabling them to avoid compulsory service in the Communist army. Both together and independently, the friends try to maintain their sense of humour and levelheadedness in the totalitarian environment – and endeavour not to compromise themselves with the regime like their parents. This acerbic comedy by director and producer Ondřej Trojan was inspired by the book of the same name by Petr Šabach. The film isn’t aimed at people who witnessed the era, but at the younger generation of viewers, whom it obliges with a cast of young protagonists and an appealing evocation of the music subculture and lifestyle of the period. The film was nominated for eleven Czech Lion awards. —Karlovy Vary International Film Festival