This brisk conversation may take place in a single room, but it's certainly not dull. The stellar cast transforms into a group of Czech caricatures whose confrontation with each other over the fate of a cooperatively owned apartment building offers a glimpse of the Czech character with all its foibles. Whether they are funny or very disturbing. Jiří Havelka's screenplay, awarded the Czech Lion and the Czech Film Critics' Award, based on his own play, offers a much-needed breath of fresh air compared to most Czech comedies.

Jiří Havelka

The playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor is a renaissance figure in his field. His own work and his contribution to the cultivation of the cultural space make him one of the most prominent figures on the Czech scene. Successful with critics and audiences alike, The Owners is his directorial debut.