Žáby bez jazyka

A layered, absurdist family drama about the vicious circle of domestic violence in central Europe. All based on a fable about a chain of events that starts with a bloodthirsty wolf. The instinctually driven beast of prey is very akin to the aggressive father-in-law of Jaroslav, the anti-hero of this story. A timid ambulance driver, Jaroslav has a complex relationship with his wife, Blanka. She uses their three children as blackmail to get what she wants: his mother's apartment. Various versions of the way Jaroslav attempts to save his marriage are ingeniously told and unfold as a video-game narrative. Roles and power dynamics are reversed, always culminating in a lot of blood and broken crockery. Other repeating elements include a falling jukebox, a choir of commenting women, like in a Greek tragedy, extensive cooking sessions, original metaphors and bizarre dialogue. The film was inspired by extensive research into violence in men's and women's prisons conducted by director Mira Fornay. (International Film Festival Rotterdam)