Peter Solan

"Using the same, three times repeating dialogue – dramatic conversation between man and woman – Jerzy Skolimowski from Poland, Slovak director Peter Solan and Czech director Zbynìk Brynych shot three different stories. The result was an extraordinary experiment in the world cinema, which we can call an insight in the relationships of men and women of different age groups, an analysis of love and marriage of those who are at the beginning, in the middle or going towards the end of their life."

Concentration camp commander Kraft finds out that prisoner Kominek is a former professional boxer. Overnight, the prisoner is made Kraft's exercise partner and unwillingly rises to a privileged position at the camp. His anger over the death of his friend and co-prisoner leads to open revolt. The film brings a new view of human degradation during fascism by a tragic story of one man whose only chance for survival is to accept the rules of an unequal game.

Two female clerks using up their savings to enjoy a few days of carefree life, two plumbers looking for an erotic adventure, a building contractor determined to drink away all wages of his workers and a former major who became an alcoholic due to political persecution — these people meet in a ski resort bar somewhere in the High Tatras. During one night they gradually reveal their unfulfilled dreams, illusions and disappointments of ”average" people of those times.

Each of the four short stories, framed by the figure of the photographer, depicts the lives of women and girls whose work has brought them to the limelight, but also marked their relationships with those closest to them.

Barnabáš Kos, a meek and modest triangle-player in a state orchestra finds himself unfathomably promoted to musical director. Now drunk with power, the once timid musician turns into a poised, commanding peacock and seeks to transform the orchestra to suit his own agenda and inflated vision.

Majka "Chatterbox" is a girl entering adolescence. She was born with a minor disability. While her mother keeps scolding her for the way she walks, her classmates mock her and call her a "duck". Along an innocent first love affair and a secret friendship, she receives little understanding from her parents and lots of malice from her schoolmates. Majka finds refuge with her grandmother and in her own fantasy world.

A movie built up of three stories about life in a small Slovak town. The Prosecutor: the district attorney is a jazz orchestra soloist at the same time and that is much disliked by the local provincial society. The Defender: is about a young doctor's relation to his patient, who is open about his reactionary opinions. The Judge: it is only after long years that the old judge realizes that his own marriage is in jeopardy.

Mr. Ctibor once worked as a hotel valet, and although he is retired, he is still eager to prove that he is needed. He thinks he has once again been given the opportunity to intervene in the interests of both the guest and the hotel's reputation, as he wants to prevent the reported suicide of one of the guests. However, the mix-up of room numbers is fatal not only for old Ctibor, but also for the guest in room 32. Ctibor's efforts prove futile, because he mixed up the room numbers and protected someone who didn't need it at all...