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I Served the King of England (Obsluhoval jsem anglického krále) 2008
Jan Dít? is an ambitious go-getter whose only wish in life is to become stinking rich. Landing a job at a luxurious Prague hotel in the 1930s, Dít? stealthily climbs the career ladder and happily indulges in the hedonism that surrounds him. This is a world where beautiful women gladly sprawl nude on a rotating centrepiece for the enjoyment of wealthy diners, and even though Dít? is technically still a servant, he enjoys his fair share of the spoils. As World War II approaches and the Germans occupy Czech lands, Dít? falls in love with Líza, a propaganda-spouting Nazi who only agrees to bed Dít? when she learns he has German blood. Scorned by his countrymen for marrying the enemy, Dít? is all but oblivious to the politics that surround him, even as he is hired to impregnate Teutonic goddesses in an Aryan breeding centre. [source: New Zealand International Film Festival Guide]
Starring Ivan Barnev, Oldrich Kaiser, Julia Jentsch, Martin Huba, Marián Labuda, Milan Lasica
Directed by Jir
Written by Jir
Festivals & Awards Berlin International Film Festival 2007 | New Zealand International Film Festival 2007
Romance, War, Comedy | 2hr 0mins | Rated (M) | contains nudity, sex scenes | Origin: Czech Republic | Language: Czech
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The Peoples voice
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Smorgasbord of a movie
5
From the opening scenes to the final touching frame, this movie is simply superb and exactly like a real life; Varying between sad and happy, with lessons to be learned delivered by example and precept. Jan Diti's ambition to become a millionaire in what is now called the food service industry comes true in a way that in fact demonstrates the folly of such a goal, and instead teaches him the honour and prestige that comes from simply performing a job with grace, skill and aplomb.
On the way, there are encounters with brilliant maitre d'hotels, stylish brothels, the only legitimate Nazi claim to other country's area, fanatical eugenics, the hypocritical treatment of prostitutes and servants, the rise of Communism, rehabilitation of amputees, intergenerational love, the glory of fine dining and even naked Aryan goddesses.
Throughout is the almost Chaplinesque 'little fellow in world of bullies' performance of Barnev as young Diti; Even when he does something questionable, you love the way he does it. A recommended film that at the last Festival was almost as loved as "Death At A Funeral"By D F Stuckey
Press Reviews
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Hollywood Reporter
A sumptuously told tale of childlike wonder in the face of darkest corruption and war, mixing high comedy, surreal sequences and genuine drama viewed from a wise, jaundiced perspective. Given time to finds its audience, which is anyone who likes the Coen brothers, "Served" could do well across all territories as its visual humor and topical significance give it mainstream grown-up appeal.
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Lumi?re Reader [Wellington]
The whimsical humour has a charming and timeless appeal to it, and the wistful philosophy provides amusing diversion rather than real distraction. Served celebrates life’s pleasures, and the appreciation of food, women, money and Pilsner is realised gorgeously in a series of staggeringly opulent visual feasts (including a highly imaginative use of a Lazy Susie).
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Urban Cinefile [Australia]
The film's strength - it's whimsy - is also its weakness, with Menzel often letting his guard drop and letting the novel run away with the screenplay. But it's diverting and it's unique.
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Variety [USA]
An ambitious yet apolitical Czech everyman pursues his fortune as his country endures the turbulent middle decades of the last century in the beguiling, bigger-than-life black comedy "I Served the King of England." A virtual primer on the unique mixture of self-deprecating dark humor and personal tragedy that has been the Czech cinema's stock-in-trade since their celebrated 1960s New Wave.
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