Adelheid

Adapted from the novel by Vladimír Körner, whose writing also inspired The Valley of the Bees, Adelheid is a tortured love story set in the aftermath of the Second World War. Upon returning to his homeland, Czech lieutenant Viktor is assigned to a manor which was once the residence of an imprisoned Nazi officer, whose beautiful daughter, Adelheid, now serves as his housemaid. As Viktor becomes infatuated with her, Adelheid finds herself torn between her affection for him, her loyalty to her father, and the opportunity to escape. Vláčil’s enveloping use of location comes to the fore once again, in this riveting tragedy of shifting allegiances and lingering distrust.

Venice Film Festival: In Competition