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.
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.