PRIVATE UNIVERSE (Helena Trestikova, Czech Republic). 83 minutes. Subtitled. Rating: NNN
In 1974, Helena Trestikova made a documentary about Jana and Petr Kettnerova, a Czech couple about to have their first child. Trestikova stayed in touch with the Kettnerovas over the decades, and this is the story of their family as told through films, videos, photographs and Petr’s exhaustive diaries.
It works as a metaphor for recent Czech history. Their eldest son, Honza, becomes an anarchist, a dropout and a pothead (in that order) the Soviet regime comes and goes. Through it all, Jana and Petr maintain a pleasant stability. It’s intriguing to watch the family grow up right in front of you, but the linear organization packs a lot of birthdays and Christmases into an hour and a half.
Apr 27, 6 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 3 Apr 29, 1 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 3.
