Innocence / Nevinnost (Czech Republic, 2011)

directed by Jan Høebejk, drama, 100 min, eng subtitles
written by Petr Jarchovský
with Anna Geislerová, Ondøej Vetchý, Ludìk Munzar

Tomas, a highly esteemed physician, finds himself embroiled in a scandal when Olinka, a 14-year-old patient, accuses him of molestation. Although the disturbed girl has taken liberties with the truth in the past, there are some damning details contained in her allegations that make them impossible to dismiss. As his once-idyllic professional and personal lives descend into chaos, Tomas must also contend with a police detective who has a personal interest in putting him away. This unsettling and propulsive thriller marks a successful creative departure for the team of director Jan Hrebejk and screenwriter Petr Jarchovský, previously best known for comedies, such as the Oscar-nominated Divided We Fall shown in the 2008 edition of CinEast. These long-time collaborators prove equally accomplished at genre filmmaking, crafting a dark, provocative thriller that is aided and abetted by an exemplary cast. Through layers of intrigue, they assemble a morally complex puzzle in which unearthing one answer only begets more troubling questions.

Awards:
Czech Lion 2011 (Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role)
Czech Film Critics´ Award (Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role)