Podfuk (1986)
A sharp Czechoslovak tragicomedy about honesty, deception, and the moral cost of looking the other way in the construction industry.
Podfuk - Movie Information
- Original Title: Podfuk
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Jan Schmidt
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Comedy
- Original Language: Czech
- Spoken Languages: Czech
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 1, 1986 (XC)
- Alternative Titles: Swindle (US), Kdo s koho (XC)
- Production Companies: Filmové studio Barrandov
- Production Countries: Czechoslovakia
Podfuk - Plot
Lying in the construction industry used to be a criminal offence, but skilful people could do a lot of things. This somewhat embarrassing tragicomedy convinces us that even builders should be honest. The protagonist here is a moral designer who occasionally drops in to sing to enjoy something other than work.
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Podfuk - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jan Schmidt
Main Cast
- Ondřej Havelka
- Tatiana Kulíšková
- Bronislav Poloczek
- Jiří Pleskot
- Stanislav Fišer
- Vlastimil Fišar
- Radka Fidlerová
- Jan Skopeček
- Miroslav Masopust
- Ladislav Potměšil
Writers
- Josef Pohl
- Jan Schmidt
- David Jan Novotný
Podfuk - FAQs
What is Podfuk about?
Podfuk is a 1986 Czechoslovak tragicomedy set in the construction industry, where cutting corners and bending the truth were practically a way of life. The story follows a principled designer who refuses to play along, making the case — sometimes humorously, sometimes painfully — that honesty still matters, even in a crooked system.
Who directed the 1986 film Podfuk?
Podfuk was directed by Jan Schmidt, a Czech filmmaker known for his work in Czechoslovak cinema. Schmidt also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Josef Pohl and David Jan Novotný, giving the film a strong authorial voice rooted in sharp social observation.
Who are the main actors in Podfuk?
The cast features Ondřej Havelka and Tatiana Kulíšková in leading roles, supported by Bronislav Poloczek, Jiří Pleskot, Stanislav Fišer, Vlastimil Fišar, Radka Fidlerová, Jan Skopeček, Miroslav Masopust, and Ladislav Potměšil — a strong ensemble of Czech talent.
When was Podfuk released?
Podfuk was released on June 1, 1986, in Czechoslovakia. The film is also known by the alternative titles Swindle in the US market and Kdo s koho in its home country, reflecting its playful, double-edged take on deception and moral compromise.
What genre is the film Podfuk?
Podfuk blends Crime and Comedy into a tragicomic package. It uses the conventions of the crime genre — deception, schemes, and moral grey areas — as a backdrop for sharp social satire, poking fun at the systemic dishonesty that plagued the Czechoslovak construction sector in the 1980s.
Is Podfuk a socially critical film?
Very much so. Podfuk uses its comedic tone to deliver pointed commentary on corruption and dishonesty in the socialist construction industry. By placing an honest protagonist at the center of a deeply dishonest world, the film quietly challenges the moral compromises that everyday life under the system often demanded.
What language is Podfuk in?
Podfuk is a Czech-language film, produced in Czechoslovakia by Filmové studio Barrandov. It was spoken and filmed entirely in Czech, making it a genuine product of the Czechoslovak national film tradition of the 1980s.
What are some movies similar to Podfuk?
If you enjoy Podfuk's blend of crime and comedy with a satirical edge, you might also like Four Against the Bank (2016), Let's Not Get Angry (1966), Sauerkrautkoma (2018), or Bottle Rocket (1993) — all films that mix humor with schemes, moral dilemmas, and a healthy dose of social wit.
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