Organ

Although Organ does not belong to the group of famous titles associated with the New Wave, nor has it ever entered the wider audience's consciousness, over time I perceive it as one of the most artistically remarkable Czechoslovak films of the 1960s. It cannot be recommended at first sight, as it has an intimate and artistic nature. Its atmosphere is significantly influenced by extensive connection with baroque music, which helps to emphasize the monastery environment and the fatefulness of the situation in which its residents find themselves. The placement of the story in the period of the Slovak clerical-fascist state is also interesting, as not many films of this kind were made. The film avoids the usual ideological stereotypes of that time, and the character of the abbot, who finds himself in a difficult situation, is deeply human - by helping a refugee, he risks not only his position but also the fate of the entire community. Overall impression: 85%. (10/17/2017)

The viewing experience is exceedingly difficult, opaque, and uninteresting. But of course, the entire negative experience can be described in laudatory terms, for example in the context of the preparations for The Shop on Main Street, in the line of Slovak firsts. Yet it was already written at the time that it was a very Slovak film, more Slovak than anything made in the last decade. Yet that can also be perceived as an internal film that is so peculiar that it has very limited ability to communicate even with the western half of the country. Either way, Organ is an important milestone in the broader theme of depicting the Slovak state. The viewer, confronted so far only with Romeo, Juliet and Darkness, will be confused. (02/02/2021)