Czech Dream (Ceský sen) (2003)
-
80% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(1,099 ratings)
In post-Communist Czech Republic, consumers no longer wait on long lines for essential goods, but in recent years, they've been known to camp out overnight in anticipation of the grand opening of the latest "hypermarket." The rapid expansion of the hypermarket phenomenon in their… More In post-Communist Czech Republic, consumers no longer wait on long lines for essential goods, but in recent years, they've been known to camp out overnight in anticipation of the grand opening of the latest "hypermarket." The rapid expansion of the hypermarket phenomenon in their homeland inspired young filmmakers Vít Klusák and Filip Remunda to use state-of-the-art marketing techniques to wage a massive promotional campaign for their own hypermarket, which they would call, "Czech Dream." The major difference between Czech Dream and its competitors was that the Czech Dream hypermarket existed only in Klusák and Remunda's imaginations. And so, perhaps the most elaborate prank in the history of documentary filmmaking began. First, Klusák and Remunda hired image consultants, ditching their shabby student appearances for something slick, corporate, and upbeat. Newly yuppified, the filmmakers hired the advertising agency Mark BBDO to help them sell their fraud to the public. An ingeniously forthright ad campaign, plastered on bus kiosks and billboards throughout Prague, warns potential shoppers, "Don't come...don't rush...don't spend." A schmaltzy jingle plays on the radio, and television ads are placed. The nonexistent market's location is withheld from the public until just before opening day, when a huge crowd gathers in a meadow outside the city, where behind a colorful facade lies...nothing. Czech Dream was shown at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival, where it was introduced by filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Vit Klusak, Filip Remunda
- Genres
- Documentary, Art House & International, Comedy, Special Interest
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- SchwarzSmith/Taskovski Films
Critic Reviews
-
Mark Feeney, Boston Globe
Let's encourage people to make fools of themselves -- then mock them when they act foolishly!
-
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
A small but droll big-box comedy.
-
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
It's obviously more fun to watch Czech Dream than it was to experience the deception firsthand.
-
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
The film wavers between nervous dread for the unsuspecting public and sheer gall at the number of consultants who agreed to help sell something nonexistent (for money, of course).
-
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
In the post-Morgan Spurlock era of stunt docs, the open-endedness is welcome.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
