Winter 2006 Central European Film Series presents:"The Joke" Directed by Jaromil Jires (Czechoslovakia, 1969, 80 min)
In the 1950's, Ludvik Jahn was expelled from the Communist Party and the University by his fellow students, because of a politically incorrect note he sent to his girlfriend. Fifteen years later, he tries to get his revenge by seducing Helena, the wife of one of his accusers. Based on Kundera's first novel, this was one of the major films of the Czech New Wave before it was banned for its political content.
This film series is being shown in conjunction with COMPLIT 244: Central European Literature & Film: 1918-1968. All films will be introduced by the instructor, Jessie Labov, and followed by a short discussion. Light refreshments will be served.