The Fundy Film Society

Empties

Jan Sverák, who is arguably the leading Czech filmmaker of his generation, features his father, Zdenak Sverák, as Josef Tkaloun, a curmudgeonly middle-aged lit teacher who grows exhausted from instructing his demanding, occasionally obnoxious students, and opts for an early retirement. Josef quickly recognizes his own need for routine, and thus heads into a series of random occupations, including bike messenger and bottle retriever in a grocery store. The latter proves particularly colorful, introducing Josef to a host of eccentric and occasionally funny co-workers. A comic love story about a man who refuses to accept that old age is empty of love, meaning and value to society, this film at the time of its release reportedly netted a greater profit than any movie in Czech history.