Plot

Rarely is a documentary both as comedic and socially insightful at the same time as Czech Dream. What began as a film school project becomes a funny and provocative look at the changes of ambitions, desires and behaviors as old-fashioned Communism is replaced by rampant Consumerism in the newly capitalist Czech Republic

Two mischievous Czech film students decided to explore the manipulative powers of materialism, yearning to breathe free after decades of dour socialism. The devilish agents provocateurs stage a marketing campaign (using government money, no less!) for the opening of a super store, a kind of WalMart on steroids that didn't exist.

For two weeks, the streets of Prague were saturated with advertising and promotion for Czech Dream - a fake mega-emporium. The anti-consumer culture ads, created by a legit and highly regarded ad agency, appeared everywhere, proclaiming "Don't Go, Don't Rush, Don't Spend" - in newspapers, on buses and on the radio. On the day of the "grand opening," over 4000 people showed up, filled with false dreams - and attacked the pranksters when they found out it was all a hoax. Maybe they should have called it "Xanadu!" At the end of the day, Communism can take a lesson in propaganda from the masters.

Reviews:
"Ingenious!" -The New York Times
"Delicious!" -The Los Angeles Times
"Subversive!" -The Village Voice
"A rollicking movie!" -The New York Sun
"Humorous Czech flick has lots in store." -V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Related Links

• IMDb Page
• The Village Voice
• BBCi - Films
• New York Times

Additional Information

• Country: Czech Republic
• Language: Czech, English Subtitles
• Format: NTSC
• Aspect Ratio: Letterbox
• Color: Color
• Sound: Dolby Digital