In the Czech Republic, ambitious cinematic projects are not in short supply. In addition to films like Il Boemo [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Petr Vaclav
scheda film] and Medieval, two movies stand out on account of their decade-long development process: Dalibor Stach's Behind the Curtain of Night and Petr Vachler's The Meaning and Mystery of Life. Stach's project, reminiscent of Cloud Atlas [+leggi anche:
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Vachler, who produced, wrote and directed the film, debuted with the black Christmas comedy Over and Over Again!, and his long-standing interest in mysticism and the esoteric world manifested itself in the controversial documentary series Detector for Czech Television. His most recent documentary series, Top Secret UFO Projects: Declassified, aired on Netflix and Sky History.

The Meaning and Mystery of Life began its journey in 2013, initially conceived as a documentary featuring figures from the realms of science, spirituality and religious teachings. However, the project evolved into a blend of documentary, live action and animated fiction. Focusing on Max, a middle-aged character played by Jan Budař (Charlatan [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Agnieszka Holland
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The picture draws on personal experiences and interactions with figures like Mexican neo-shaman and doctor Octavio Rettig Hinojosa, quantum physicist Jan Rak, of CERN, Islamic mystic Shaykha Amat-un-Nur, Benedictine monk David Steindl Rast, and other personalities like Erich von Däniken, Don Miguel Ruiz, Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, Deepak Chopra, Stanislav Grof and Raymond Moody. The ensemble cast comprises Barbora Seidlová, Josef Polášek, Andrea Kerestešová, Vladimír Javorský, Petr Buchta, Theodor Vachler, Aneta Krejčíková, Valerie Vachlerová, Viliam Vachler, Robert Jašków and Hanuš Bor.

The Meaning and Mystery of Life is being produced by Vachler’s company, Vachler Art Company. The project has been supported by the Czech Film Fund. Falcon handles the Czech theatrical release, while ITAFilm will release the film in Slovakia. The premiere in both countries is set for 23 November 2023. An English version of the film is also available.

Check out the official English-language trailer for The Meaning and Mystery of Life below: