The Owners - A Big World Pictures release

Director: Jiří Havelka
Country: Czech Republic, Slovakia
Year: 2019
Running time: 96 min
In Czech with English subtitles

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A timely metaphor for failing democracy, THE OWNERS takes a seriocomic look at the most local form of self-governance: the co-op apartment building meeting. It includes a curious cast of characters, all of whom own apartments in the same building in Prague, as they attempt to tolerate each other’s presence long enough to make some important decisions about the building’s future.

Mrs. Zahrádková wants to save the old crumbling house she shares with other owners of the flats located in it. She might find supporters for her plan in young newlyweds with their idealistic enthusiasm, who have just moved in and are astonished by the co-owners’ inability to agree on anything.

Mrs. Roubíčková vigilantly controls the proper course of the meeting, not allowing the slightest deviation from the rules; Mrs. Procházková and her proclaimed business partner Mr. Novak are looking for ways to increase the value of their property, including by subletting an apartment to African students; Mr. Nitranský tries to get hold of the attic to expand his flat; and frustrated Mr. Kubát sabotages any decision.

NOW PLAYING IN U.S. THEATERS!

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PHOTOS

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PLAYDATES

7/15/23 Desert Film Society, Palm Springs, CA

8/18-24/23 Quad Cinema, New York, NY - U.S. Theatrical Premiere!

8/25-31/23 Laemmle's Royal, West Los Angeles, CA

8/25-31/23 Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago, IL

8/31-9/6/23 San Juan International Film Festival, San Juan, PR

9/1-7/23 Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco, CA

9/1-14/23 Smith Rafael Film Center, San Rafael, CA

9/1-14/23 The Clairidge, Montclair, NJ

9/8-14/23 Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, Arabi, LA

9/13-17/23 Boedecker Theater@The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, CO

9/15-21/23 The Hitchcock, Santa Barbara, CA

9/19-21/23 The Guild Cinema, Albuquerque, NM

Opens 10/13/23 Movies of Lake Worth, Lake Worth, FL

Opens 10/13/23 Movies of Delray, Delray Beach, FL

11/16/23 California Independent Film Festival, Orinda, CA

REVIEWS

“Comic gold…the script is top-notch, the performances terrific, the timing perfect…If only Hollywood still made them like this!” – American Spectator

"The film took home three Czech Lions and two Czech Film Critics’ Awards, and with fine performances from the leading cast, sharp dialogue, and painfully relevant political overtones, it’s not difficult to see why..Beneath the dry wit and jaded, world-weary cynicism, and even before we reach the obligatory bittersweet, tragicomic ending, there is some profound allegory at work in Vlastníci, familiar from the brave and subversive Czech comedies of the 1960s, by which, with a choice phrase here, a verbal nod-and-a-wink there, Havelka holds a mirror up to Czech society… and doesn’t reflect its best side." - Czech Film Review

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A BIG WORLD PICTURES RELEASE