Děti noci (2008)
A quietly affecting Czech drama about a young woman suspended between the shelter of youth and the pull of an adult life she is not yet ready to claim.
Děti noci - Movie Information
- Original Title: Děti noci
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Michaela Pavlátová
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 20m
- Original Language: Czech
- Spoken Languages: Czech
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 25, 2008 (Czech Republic - 15+)
- Production Countries: Czech Republic
Děti noci - Plot
Ofka has fallen into a strange lethargy: while most of her high school classmates continue their studies, she refuses to leave the deceptive comfort of childhood, which is quickly turning into a stifling trap. She works in her brother-in-law Eda's 24-hour shop and lets the fragments of wasted lives of regular and random customers, as well as those of her old friends who, like her, only really live at night, flit around her. Sometimes she drops in on a group drinking in the Vltava harbor, wanders the streets with the eccentric Ubre, who is fascinated by fishing discarded items out of trash cans and hopelessly in love with her, and avoids Míra, who, on the contrary, has stopped loving her. However, it is becoming increasingly clear to her that one day she will have to say goodbye to her childhood, cross the borders of her native neighborhood, and start doing something with her life...
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Děti noci - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michaela Pavlátová
Main Cast
- Martha Issová
- Jiří Mádl
- Jan Dolanský
- Kristýna Badinková Nováková
- Lenka Termerová
- Václav Helšus
- Simona Babčáková
- Igor Chmela
- Jana Hubinská
- Jaro Cossiga
Děti noci - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Děti noci?
The cast is led by Martha Issová as the drifting Ofka, alongside Jiří Mádl as the endearing Ubr and Jan Dolanský as Míra. The ensemble also includes Kristýna Badinková Nováková, Lenka Termerová, Václav Helšus, Simona Babčáková, Igor Chmela, Jana Hubinská, and Jaro Cossiga.
What is Děti noci about?
Děti noci follows Ofka, a young Czech woman who clings to the fading comfort of adolescence while working a night-shift convenience store job in Prague. Surrounded by nocturnal drifters, unrequited love, and old friends going nowhere, she slowly confronts the need to finally grow up and move forward.
When was Děti noci released?
Děti noci had its Czech Republic release on September 25, 2008, with a local age rating of 15+. The film is a Czech production directed by Michaela Pavlátová and represents one of her first feature-length live-action works after a celebrated career in animation.
Who directed Děti noci?
Děti noci was directed by Michaela Pavlátová, a Czech filmmaker widely celebrated for her award-winning animated shorts. This feature marked a significant creative shift for her into live-action storytelling, bringing her distinctive sensitivity to character and atmosphere to a grounded, intimate urban drama.
Is Děti noci based on a true story?
Děti noci is not based on a specific true story. It is an original fictional drama, though its portrait of young adults adrift in Prague's nightlife carries a strong sense of authenticity and social realism, drawing on recognizable experiences of post-adolescent stagnation and the struggle to embrace adult responsibility.
How long is Děti noci?
Děti noci runs for 80 minutes, making it a compact and focused drama. Its relatively brief runtime suits the film's quiet, observational tone — there's no excess, just an intimate, unhurried portrait of a young woman suspended between two stages of life in the streets of Prague.
What are some films similar to Děti noci?
If Děti noci resonates with you, you might enjoy Everyone Else (2009), In Bloom (2013), The Truth About Emanuel (2013), or Take Care of My Cat (2001). For a similar mood of youthful drift and urban melancholy, Total Eclipse (1995) and Claustrophobia (2008) are also worth exploring.
How was Děti noci received by critics?
Děti noci was warmly received in Czech cinema circles, praised for Martha Issová's nuanced central performance and Michaela Pavlátová's assured transition from animation to live-action. Critics highlighted the film's honest, low-key portrayal of post-adolescent limbo and its atmospheric evocation of Prague's nocturnal margins.
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