Vlny

De todas as realizações de Jiří Mádl até ao momento, que sempre foram marcadas por uma ingenuidade e implausibilidade bastante acentuadas, Waves é de longe a melhor. Entre outras coisas, porque já não sofre desse sintoma. O filme é muito bem conduzido do ponto de vista dramatúrgico e a sua narrativa clássica, cuidadosamente estruturada, entrelaça sem problemas um grande número de linhas de enredo. O filme apresenta um trabalho artesanal de alto nível em todos os aspetos, seja no estilo de época, nos trajes, nos desempenhos dos atores ou na música. É graças à música pulsante, à edição dinâmica e ao talento para construir a tensão das cenas que envolvem um confronto entre a polícia e estudantes em manifestação, a chegada dos tanques a Praga em agosto de 1968 ou o ataque militar ao edifício da Rádio Checa, podem competir em intensidade e espetáculo com muitos thrillers de ação de Hollywood. Há uma clareza total na multiplicidade de personagens secundários bem escritos e cheios de carácter, baseados em jornalistas e apresentadores de notícias reais da redação estrangeira da época, que lutaram contra a censura durante a primavera de Praga e tentaram manter as emissões no ar a todo o custo durante a invasão - bem como nas suas emoções e motivações. Esta importante história merecia um tratamento honesto, sofisticado e de primeira categoria, pelo que é extremamente gratificante que, no contexto dos filmes de época checos dos últimos anos, Waves esteja entre os mais bem conseguidos. (02/07/2024)

I caught Waves during the third screening at the summer cinema, and it was still completely packed. That’s how much this film has resonated with the Czech nation. And honestly, it’s well-deserved. After so many years, here’s a movie that tackles an important topic in a quality and engaging way—something everyone should know about, especially the younger generations who need to remember what happened around 1968. With his third film, Jiří Mádl has truly cemented his talent, and I was captivated for over two hours, subconsciously applauding. Waves is a big film, not just in quality but in content. It’s written with a strong emphasis on objectivity and features some of the top Czech actors of today. There isn’t just one main hero here; the film portrays multiple characters whose actions are both black and white, deeply influenced by the times they lived in. It’s hard to blame them for the choices they made. The Czechoslovak Radio of that era definitely deserved a film like this. (26/08/2024)

Jiří Mádl has managed to do something that is hard to see in contemporary Czech cinema, he made a film of European quality. He tells a story that, without any pathos and black and white, works well as a historical account, but also as a parallel to the present time and recent events elsewhere. The 130 minutes pass like water and the film resonates nicely after the end, as confirmed by the huge audience applause at this year's premiere in the Great Hall. [KVIFF 2024] (02/07/2024)

One might think that this is a topic that has been covered a hundred times, exhausted from top to bottom. However, I must refute all skeptics by saying that such a film about Czech history has not been made before. I knew almost nothing about the events at Czechoslovak Radio. I didn't know the names of the heroes who ensured free broadcasting until the last moments. Everyone should go to see Waves in the movie theater, not only because the film is worth it, but also because it is chillingly relevant and reminds us of situations happening not far from us. Waves has everything. It will give you goosebumps, move you, and make you laugh. Your adrenaline will rise, and you will desperately wish for the characters to come out well, even though you know it is a false hope. Excellent cinematography, perfectly fitting music, and the final soundtrack. Jiří Mádl, the actors, and everyone else who contributed to the film deserve recognition and for you to actually go to the movie theater. (17/08/2024)