AUDITION I - IF IT WEREN'T FOR MUSIC

The first film directed by Forman consists of two separate episodes: KONKURS I – KDYBY TY MUZIKY NEBYLY / AUDITION I – IF IT WEREN’T FOR MUSIC observes two brass bands during rehearsal. Either band has a problem with a trumpeter who would rather go to the motor races than turn up for rehearsals. Both trumpeters are dismissed – and both immediately get hired by the competition. For KONKURS / AUDITION II, Forman staged an audition for singers at the Semafor theatre in Prague. Here again, he suggestively fused the documentary-like basic situation with a story element: one of the would-be singers has faked an excuse in order to get time off work… Melancholy and cheerful by turns, Forman’s intently observed debut already displays his unmistakable style.