Forgotten Light

Forgotten Light

1996 · 105 min · ★ 6.2 · Drama

Father Holy, a village priest, battles against the state and religious bureaucracies of 1980s Czechoslovakia in his fight to raise money for a new church roof. Permeated by his love for the villagers, his encounters are marked by his good humor. In his losing battle against Church and State, Holy is ordered to be transferred away from his parish and his allies. The Czech-American, Milena Jelinek, adapted this moving story from the the novel The Forgotten Light, by the 1930s Czech writer/poet and Catholic priest Jakub Deml. (1934)

Directed by Vladimír Michálek · Written by Milena Jelínková

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 12m together

Forgotten Light

Blue-Eyed

Both from Vladimír Michálek.

More from Vladimír MichálekSee all →

Blue-EyedBlue-Eyed · 1989
Blue-Eyed
★ 10.01989
MovieDrama
In this suspense story, the main character, Johann Neudorff, immigrated to Argentina from Germany after World War Two, and has become a successful businessman there. He is unconcerned with the nature of the government there, which at the time of this film (1978) is a military dictatorship. His comfortable existence is disrupted when he discovers that his beloved daughter Laura has become the lover of a political activist who is on the military's hit list. When his daughter is kidnapped, Johann attempts to use his government connections to free both her and her lover. However, his son Alfredo undermines his efforts, and Johann himself is incarcerated in a military prison, but not before he discovers that his daughter and her lover are both dead, killed by the regime.
Dáma a KrálDáma a Král · 2017
Dáma a Král
★ 8.22017
SeriesCrime
Autumn SpringAutumn Spring · 2001
Autumn Spring
★ 7.02001
MovieFamilyComedy
A bittersweet comedy starring the great Vlastimil Brodský as Fanda, an old man who refuses to grow up. Despite pleas from his exasperated wife who wants him to make serious decisions about the future, Fanda ignores the nagging and spends his days seeking amusement and adventure.
The SmokeThe Smoke · 1991
The Smoke
★ 6.91991
MovieComedyMusic
The film is based on a legendary school film of Tomáš Vorel, called INg (1985). The storyline stays the same - a young engineer finds a new job and wants to work, this proves to be impossible in the last days of the communist era.
Of Parents and ChildrenOf Parents and Children · 2008
Of Parents and Children
★ 6.62008
MovieDramaComedy
On a walk through Prague, a 40-year-old son's conversations with his septuagenarian father reveal complexities that both strain and sustain their bond.
Sekal Has to DieSekal Has to Die · 1998
Sekal Has to Die
★ 6.51998
MovieDrama
ComiBaran, a protestant blacksmith arrives in the little village of Lakotice to kill Sekal, a cruel Nazi collaborator.
ZáchranáriZáchranári · 2003
Záchranári
★ 6.52003
SeriesAction & AdventureDrama
AmerikaAmerika · 1994
Amerika
★ 5.61994
MovieDrama
Vladimír Michálek chose an unconventional adaptation of Franz Kafka's novel for his feature debut. Artistically reminiscent of the classic films of Karel Zeman, the director reinterpreted this dark story of a man vainly seeking a place in a rigidly ordered society by changing the desperate conclusion into a happy end. The film provided Czech comedian Jirí Lábus with a new kind of role: that of the despotic uncle of a main hero Karel Rossman (Martin Dejdar).
MamonMamon · 2015
Mamon
★ 5.42015
SeriesCrime
While investigating the privatization of energy giant Central Energy, journalist Petra Vlčka uncovers corruption involving his brother the CEO.
Prague StoriesPrague Stories · 1999
Prague Stories
★ 5.01999
MovieDramaComedy
A four-story omnibus depicting different Czech slices-of-life from the titular city.
StorytellerStoryteller · 2014
Storyteller
★ 4.92014
MovieRomanceDrama
A loose adaption of Bára Nesvadbová's novel of the same name. A novel that lacks a dramatic line and concentrates on the flow of emotions and feelings of two injured and beloved women, two women that the aging lothario Mára came between. The theme of the entire book is the degree and limit of love, a right and ability to love several people simultaneously while hurting them at the same time. Written by Czech Film Center
The ShooterThe Shooter · 1995
The Shooter
★ 4.81995
MovieActionThriller
A CIA agent gets caught up in political intrigue after he gets brought in to solve the murder of a Cuban ambassador.
Prázdniny v ProvencePrázdniny v Provence · 2016
Prázdniny v Provence
★ 4.02016
MovieComedy
A trio of rock-and-roll musicians arrives in the south of France for a sun-drenched summer of debauched fun and romance in this breezy comedy.
Loaded EelsLoaded Eels · 2019
Loaded Eels
★ 3.22019
MovieComedyDrama
This is not just a game. It is an escape from everyday life, an escape which is impossible to give up. Loaded Eels is a black comedy about a group of men who decided to escape from their everyday lives through role-playing. They pretend to be soldiers of SWAT team, evacuating community centers, dragging unsuspecting people into their game. They are driven by Adrenalin and delusion which makes them feel like Robin Hood. Stealing from the rich, giving to the poor. Everything goes smoothly until they find themselves in the wrong place and at the wrong time.
The MessengerThe Messenger · 2012
The Messenger
★ 2.72012
MovieDrama
Petr is a courier, a messenger as a matter of fact. He is one of those young men who believe that on their bikes they have become part and parcel of the atmosphere of modern cities. He is a non-conformist who refuses to settle into today‘s deformed society, he abhors its indolence, consumerism and lies, as well as its pseudo-truths, pseudo-feelings, pseudo-loves and pseudo-values. Petr’s untrammelled personality keeps causing more and more serious problems. And Petr is also one of those who will never admit to themselves that they might be at the end of their tether.
ELECTRICKSELECTRICKS · 2026
ELECTRICKS
2026
MovieDramaThriller
An electrician takes a job to replace sockets, desperate for cash after months of unpaid invoices. In a young mother’s flat, he discovers an illegal electricity bypass left behind by her parents. For her, it means a debt of hundreds of thousands; for him, the impossibility of finishing his work. Should he walk away and look for money elsewhere, or help her through unofficial means? A drama about survival in a system that leaves both characters with no choice but to bend its rules.

More Like This

Forrest GumpForrest Gump · 1994
Forrest Gump
★ 8.51994
MovieComedyDrama
A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.
MetropolisMetropolis · 1927
Metropolis
★ 8.11927
MovieDramaScience Fiction
In a futuristic city sharply divided between the rich and the poor, the son of the city's mastermind meets a prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
Bad EducationBad Education · 2004
Bad Education
★ 7.42004
MovieDramaCrime
When an old friend brings filmmaker Enrique Goded a semi-autobiographical script chronicling their adolescence, Enrique is forced to relive his youth spent at a Catholic boarding school. Weaving through past and present, the script follows a transvestite performer who reconnects with a grade school sweetheart. Spurred on by this chance encounter, the character reflects on her childhood sexual victimization and the trauma of closeting her sexual orientation.
Donnie DarkoDonnie Darko · 2001
Donnie Darko
★ 7.82001
MovieFantasyDrama
After narrowly escaping a bizarre accident, a troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes.
All Quiet on the Western FrontAll Quiet on the Western Front · 1930
All Quiet on the Western Front
★ 7.81930
MovieDramaWar
When a group of idealistic young men join the German Army during the Great War, they are assigned to the Western Front, where their patriotism is destroyed by the harsh realities of combat.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon · 2000
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
★ 7.42000
MovieRomanceDrama
Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.
Blade RunnerBlade Runner · 1982
Blade Runner
★ 7.91982
MovieScience FictionDrama
In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.
Absolute PowerAbsolute Power · 1997
Absolute Power
★ 6.71997
MovieCrimeDrama
A master thief coincidentally is robbing a house where a murder—in which the President of the United States is involved—occurs in front of his eyes. He is forced to run, while holding evidence that could convict the President.
Billy ElliotBilly Elliot · 2000
Billy Elliot
★ 7.62000
MovieDramaComedy
County Durham, England, 1984. The miners' strike has started and the police have started coming up from Bethnal Green, starting a class war with the lower classes suffering. Caught in the middle of the conflict is 11-year old Billy Elliot, who, after leaving his boxing club for the day, stumbles upon a ballet class and finds out that he's naturally talented. He practices with his teacher Mrs. Wilkinson for an upcoming audition in Newcastle-upon Tyne for the royal Ballet school in London.
LuckyLucky · 2017
Lucky
★ 6.42017
MovieDrama
The story of a young mother with a failed marriage behind her, who fights daily for her dream to open a hair salon, challenging her fate in an effort to free herself and gain independence and right to happiness.
The Elementary ParticlesThe Elementary Particles · 2006
The Elementary Particles
★ 6.22006
MovieDramaRomance
Based on Michel Houellebecq's controversial novel, Atomised (aka The Elementary Particles) focuses on Michael and Bruno, two very different half-brothers and their disturbed sexuality. After a chaotic childhood with a hippie mother only caring for her affairs, Michael, a molecular biologist, is more interested in genes than women, while Bruno is obsessed with his sexual desires, but mostly finds his satisfaction with prostitutes. But Bruno's life changes when he gets to know the experienced Christiane. In the meantime, Michael meets Annabelle, the love of his youth, again.
Anatomy of a MurderAnatomy of a Murder · 1959
Anatomy of a Murder
★ 7.81959
MovieCrimeDrama
Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.
BrokenBroken · 2014
Broken
★ 7.12014
MovieActionCrime
Following the brutal rape and murder of his 16-year-old daughter, Sang-hyeon stumbles into an ever-widening conspiracy of rage, revenge, and murder.
The Postcard KillingsThe Postcard Killings · 2020
The Postcard Killings
★ 6.32020
MovieDramaThriller
After suffering a personal tragedy, and desperate for justice, Jacob Kanon, a veteran New York City police detective, embarks on the search for a twisted killer who is leaving a bloody trail of elaborate murders across Europe.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter