枷锁 (2009)

Set in 1982 Czechoslovakia, Radim Spaceks "Walking Too Fast" is a slow-burn political thriller about a secret police lieutenant bucking the system. Comparisons to "The Lives of Others" are apt, although Walkings thoroughly unsympathetic protagonist makes the film more admirable than likable. Pic also makes an excellent companion piece to Jan Hrebejks "Kawasakis Rose," this years Czech submission for the foreign-language film Oscar, showing another facet of the countrys collaborationist past under communism. Februarys domestic release reaped fewer than 17,000 viewers, signaling fests and ancillary as the best bet for further viewing.In 1982, the totalitarian regime seems interminable and all-powerful. Short, ferret-like Antonin (Ondrej Maly), who epitomizes the senseless brutality of the regime, is regarded as one of the top men in the state security bureau.But Antonin no longer finds satisfaction from mentally tormenting his network of informers or roughing up suspected subversives. He seethes with repressed anger and boredom, frequently working himself into a state where he can barely breathe.When Antonin becomes obsessed with pretty, self-possessed Klara (Kristina Farkasova), the mistress of a married dissident (Martin Finger), he rebels against the rules of his organization. However, his decision isnt rooted in feelings of conscience or compassion; rather, it comes as a savage act of nihilism.The Czech title, "Pouta," literally translates as "ties that bind," and the ambitious script by first-timer Ondrej Stindl plays on the words multiple meanings (from "handcuffs" to "relationships") throughout the film. Although nuanced in many ways, the story remains uncompromisingly dark, providing few emotional hooks for audience identification. The coolly objective helming by Spacek "Rapid Eye Movement", favoring long and medium-focus shots, also distances viewers from the characters.Leading a cast of little-known thesps, Maly offers a tour-de-force perf as the tightly wou