Pearls of the Deep

Five-part anthology based on short stories by Bohumil Hrabal which showcases the work of five young Czechoslovakian film-makers.

In 'The Death of Mr Balthazar', directed by Jirí Menzel, a family are watching a motorcycle race when they witness one of the participants dying in a crash. 'The Imposters', directed by Jan Nemec, depicts a conversation between two men in hospital as they each tell each other falsehoods about themselves.

In 'The House of Joy', directed by Evald Schorm, two life insurance agents visit a goat farmer and painter who has covered the inside of his farmhouse with his art. 'At the World Cafeteria', directed by Vera Chytilová, follows the rowdy guests at a wedding reception in a diner, who are oblivious to the misery surrounding them following the discovery of the body of a young woman.

Finally 'Romance', directed by Jaromil Jires, follows the blossoming love affair between a working-class boy and a Roma girl.