re:mote voices

Title:A Shark in the Head [Zralok v Hlave]
Cast: Oldrich Kaiser, Jana Krausová
Director: Maria Prochazkova

Mr.Seman leans on his windowsill, stands outside his flat in the street, waiting for people to pass, people he can talk to. He is a man who likes to talk, to be helpful. He raids his neighbour’s bins for things that might be of use, finding a bagful of rubber ducks and handing them out to passers by. Lending a hand to scaffolders, bringing them beers.

To some he is a charming character, they watch for him, eager for his latest. To others he is a daft old bugger they can do well without. In particular, a mother and daughter. The mother swaps observations with the man. Flirtations, perhaps? He gives both gifts, but despite her gratitude at the offer of a new coat, the daughter is more wary, as far as she is concerned he is a little mad.

Shark In The Head is a quiet film. All set in and in front of this one man's flat, observing the world going by. The film explores the man's warmth, his enthusiasm for life, for the people he meets. While also exploring his loneliness, that which drives him, almost desperately to talk to people. The long night hours being the hardest, described through odd little dream sequences and random animations. The scene with Santa being particularly unsettling, while maintaining that still veneer the film adheres to.

Shark In The Head is the last of a short season of Czech films to show in Glasgow, like the films I have caught in previous seasons, it has a peculiar charm. The first feature film by animator Maria Prochazkova.