Loves of a Blonde (AKA A Blonde in Love AKA A Blonde's Love) (1965)

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Director: Milos Forman

Writers: Milos Forman, Jaroslav Papousek, Ivan Passer, Vaclav Sasek

Stars: Hana Brejchova, Vladimir Pucholt, Vladimir Mensik, Ivan Kheil, Jiri Hruby, Milada Jezkova, Josef Sebanek, Josef Kolb



Andula (Hana Brejchova) is a young factory worker who lives in a dorm with other young women in the dreary town of Zruc during Communist rule in Czechoslovakia.

 


Life is empty and unfulfilling, and boys are scarce. 



Andula, a girl with a sad past of her own that is only hinted at, seeks escape from hopelessness in love. 



Lest the above description seem too depressing, let me add that this film is often very funny, particularly in a scene where a trio of middle-aged reservists approach Andula and her friends at a social mixer.

 


Director Milos Forman states in an interview that part of his motivation for making films was in reaction against the absurd socialist realism school of the time, which depicted socialist societies as paradises on earth.

 


In this seemingly slight film about a young girl's romance, he shows much of the unhappiness and hopelessness of such a society while also presenting his characters with great warmth and affection.

 


The actors in this film are wonderful and natural, with great faces.

 


Forman observes human behavior very closely and emerges with a story about people with whom everyone can empathize, delivering once again the valuable lesson of any great film--no matter where or when we were born, we are more like each other than unlike.























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