Penelope (1978 film)

Penelope (Slovak: Penelopa) is a Slovak psychological drama film directed by Štefan Uher. Starring Božidara Turzonovová and Eva Kristínová, the movie was released on January 20, 1978.

Penelope
Theatrical release poster
Original title	Penelopa
Directed by	Štefan Uher
Screenplay by	Alfonz Bednár
Based on	Za hrsť drobných (series of novels)
Produced by	Ján Svikruha
Starring	Božidara Turzonovová Eva Kristínová Gustáv Valach Michal Dočolomanský
Cinematography	Stanislav Szomolányi
Edited by	Maximilián Remeň
Music by	Svetozár Stračina
Distributed by	Slovenská požičovňa filmov Bratislava
Release date	January 20, 1978 (1978-01-20)
Running time	88 minutes
Country	Czechoslovakia
Language	Slovak

Similarly as with some of previous works directed by Uher, such as Slnko v sieti (1962), he reunited with screenwriter Alfonz Bednár and cinematographer Stanislav Szomolányi.

Plot

Restorer Eva Kamenická (Božidara Turzonovová) arrives to the village to repair frescoes of the heroines of ancient myths for the local castle. In daily life of the village inhabitants Eva soon finds some elements of ancient tragedy, especially in fate of a lonely old lady named Malovcová (Eva Kristínová). The woman, commonly referred to by locals as "Waitress of Change", awaits the return of her husband and son, who had gone to work in America twenty years ago. Eva sees in her a picture of the devoted and patient "Penelope", whose courage and faith impress young restorer. Experience gained while staying in the country turns into her own life decision. Not long after she becomes close with the Secretary of the Municipal Committee, Viktor (Michal Dočolomanský), she decides to leave her daughter Mima (Jana Čeligová) with selfish husband and start a new life.

Cast

• Božidara Turzonovová - Eva Kamenická, restorer
• Eva Kristínová - Mrs. Malovcová, "Waitress of Change"/"Penelopa"
• Gustáv Valach - Kuzma, Sr.
• Michal Dočolomanský - Viktor Kuzma, Secretary of the Municipal Committee
• Ilja Prachař - Mišo Bajzlík
• Dušan Blaškovič - Vertel
• Milan Kiš - Gracík
• Anton Šulík - Lovčan
• Leopold Haverl - Stanko
• Jaroslav Vrzala - Nemlaha
• Igor Čillík - Ondro
• Jiřina Jelenská - Zora/Zuza
• Jana Nagyová - Verona
• Michal Nesvadba - Fero

Uncredited[1] Igor Hrabinský - Miro Jana Čeligová - Mima, Eva's daughter Elena Volková - Mrs. Kuzmová Štefan Mišovic - Blažej Ján Géc - publican Jozef Mifkovič - publican Emília Halamová - Amerikán's wife Vladimír Macko - police officer

Ľubomír Zaťovič - Molčan František Desset - Berto Bajzík Lenka Kořínková - girl Štefan Turňa Jaroslav Černík Ľudovít Greššo - Mišo Bajzík (voice) Hana Kostolanská - Kuzmová (voice) Dušan Kaprálik - Fero (voice) Katarína Orbánová - Zuza (voice)

Awards

Year	Nominated work	Award	Category	Result
1978	Štefan Uher	Czechoslovak Film Festival České Budějovice	Direction - Special Mention	Won	[2]
1979	Božidara Turzonovová	Film a Divadlo Awards	Best Actress	Won
	Michal Dočolomanský		Best Actor	Won

See also

• The Sun in a Net (1962s work by the same tandem Uher-Bednár-Szomolányi)