Johanes doktor Faust

Johanes Doktor Faust was one of the first films in Jan Švankmajer's phenomenal work - he has just finished school and his collaboration on a film, where he was one of the puppeteers, led him to Emil Radok as the film's director. For Švankmajer, it was a decisive meeting, as Radok greatly influenced and directed him in the beginning. Švankmajer later thoroughly developed many ideas and techniques that Radok suggested in his films. Radok's film is based on an old play that itinerant puppet theaters performed in the 19th century and is a tribute to classic Pimprlové Theaters. The film uses only the simplest animation and achieves its effect through a combination of elements used in Laterna Magica (after all, Radok was one of its co-creators) and in classic puppet theater. The static camera often focuses on the details of the puppets, especially on the expressive expression of their faces. The principle of black theater and human hands interfering with the action is taken from Laterna Magica. The puppets mostly do not do much, as the narration drives the story. The changing of the scenery reminds of the performances of fairground troubadours. The film is valuable primarily in terms of visual artistry and from a historical perspective as a starting point for Švankmajer's Don Juan. Overall impression: 75%. (2008.08.18)