We are introduced to Straka (Gustáv Valach), a cranky gamekeeper who lives alone in umava (The Bohemian Forest).
*Spoiler Alert*
Its immediately obvious that this man has become accustomed to his solitary life. He has a daily routine and a trusty hound who is his best friend and only companion. We learn that he had a son, but he has not spoken to him in many years, unable to forgive him for abandoning his beloved forest and settling at a desk job in an office somewhere in Prague. He also has a grandson, Vaek (Tomás Holý), whom he has never even met because he cannot come to terms his own son abandoned him (and his wishes that he too would be a gamekeeper).
Following an illness, little Vaek has been told he needs some country air to get well again so his mother, Jarmila (Jana Brejchová), takes him to her father-in-law's cottage where she plans to drop him off for the two-month summer break. Straka is not pleased and he expresses his anger openly. Vaek also does not want to stay, yet they are both in for a surprise when Jarmila leaves and they are both stuck in their situation.
A series of comedic things occur making Straka more angry, and Vaek quickly learns that life is the forest is not at all like his life in the city. Soon, the two become the best of friends, respecting each others boundaries while filling each other's hearts. Some of the greatest scenes are perhaps when we see the joy and verve into which Vaek throws himself while having new adventures in the landscape the forest provides. It's also warming to see Straka open his heart to this most lovable little boy.
*Spoiler Alert*
Its immediately obvious that this man has become accustomed to his solitary life. He has a daily routine and a trusty hound who is his best friend and only companion. We learn that he had a son, but he has not spoken to him in many years, unable to forgive him for abandoning his beloved forest and settling at a desk job in an office somewhere in Prague. He also has a grandson, Vaek (Tomás Holý), whom he has never even met because he cannot come to terms his own son abandoned him (and his wishes that he too would be a gamekeeper).
Following an illness, little Vaek has been told he needs some country air to get well again so his mother, Jarmila (Jana Brejchová), takes him to her father-in-law's cottage where she plans to drop him off for the two-month summer break. Straka is not pleased and he expresses his anger openly. Vaek also does not want to stay, yet they are both in for a surprise when Jarmila leaves and they are both stuck in their situation.
A series of comedic things occur making Straka more angry, and Vaek quickly learns that life is the forest is not at all like his life in the city. Soon, the two become the best of friends, respecting each others boundaries while filling each other's hearts. Some of the greatest scenes are perhaps when we see the joy and verve into which Vaek throws himself while having new adventures in the landscape the forest provides. It's also warming to see Straka open his heart to this most lovable little boy.
