MovieChat Forums > Ceský sen (2007) Discussion > Cesky Sen: Czech Dream (or nightmare?)

Cesky Sen: Czech Dream (or nightmare?)

posted 18 years ago by praguelodyte
3 replies | jump to latest

I finally got around to watching this film and I'm glad I did. As a former media student and a longtime resident of the Czech Republic, I have a strong interest in the effects of the megalithic media machine on former communist countries. Imagine a country before 1989 wherein 'consumer hype' consisted of randomly joining a long line of people outside of a market in hopes that they 'just might' have tropical fruit. Like an orange or a banana. Now imagine the same country today, crazed by consumerism, wherein people knock down barricades to get to the newly built mall. Where a new 'hypermarket' (something I've never seen in America)--a supermarket the size of a football stadium--has opened every year for 7 years straight. And the people can't get enough. I live in the Prague suburbs near one of the largest supermarkets in Europe, open 24/7. It scares the Bejesus outta me, and I come from a consumer country.

The film 'Cesky Sen' (Czech Dream) explores and explains the themes of advertising and consumerism in a post Communist country brilliantly. And it was a couple of Czech film students who pulled it off.

[–] slakresistance 15 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermarket#United_States

Hypermarkets in the United States are everywhere. Especially in the south. You can ask anyone within the United States where the nearest Walmart Supercenter or Super Target is and it's usually within a ten minute drive.

[–] vgarcia_1976 9 years ago

this doc was a good one, I did like the idea of showing the reality of consumerism (sad one BTW)to people who can see further then their nose..listening how people describe how they felt on buying stuff they do not need was also sad ...and far from doing any good to you with ingredients that I can't even prononce...good and brilliant doc!

[–] usarmycwo 8 years ago

"Imagine a country before 1989 wherein 'consumer hype' consisted of randomly joining a long line of people outside of a market in hopes that they 'just might' have tropical fruit. Like an orange or a banana."

That's what made their stunt out of bounds for me.

Had it been tried in America, West Germany, France -- and had it been made with private, not taxpayer, money -- it might have had a point worth making.

But not in a former USSR satellite nation. One that had, in fact, been invaded by the Soviets in 1968 when they tried to break free.

I do see the point of the young people near the end of the film, but I think it could have been made without fooling a lot of old people who remembered hunger and want all too well.