Five directors of the internationally acclaimed Czech New Wave of the 1960’s contributed to this landmark film anthology, including Jiri Menzel (Closely Watched Trains) and Jaromil Jires (Valerie and Her Week of Wonders). Each witty, entertaining short is based on a different story by legendary writer Bohumil Hrabal, renowned for his outrageous, surreal tales. Menzel sets the offbeat tone of the film with "Mr. Baltazar," about a motorcycle rally that focuses on the fans rather than the race. Next, Jan Nemec offers "The Swindlers," a bittersweet tale of two old men at the end of their lives, while Evald Schorm explores the strange life of a primitive artist in "House of Joy." Vera Chytilova tackles gender politics in "The Globe Buffet," and Jires concludes the film with "Romance," about a brief love affair between a young boy and a gypsy girl. This anthology showcased the groundbreaking styles and bold, new themes of the Czech New Wave. These young directors took advantage of a more liberal political era to make films that were daring in both content and style.