Vladimir Michalek directed this Czech-Polish-Slovak-French WWII period drama about a small Czech village where farmers are threatened by bitter opportunist Sekal (Boguslaw Linda) and his companion, dwarf Zaprdek (Lodovit Cittel). Sekal, who yearns for the respectability of his married half-brother (Martin Sitta), is held in contempt by his father (Jiri Holy). One day, Sekal goes too far, demanding the fields of a neighbor, the mayor's daughter as a bride, and a night with his half-brother's wife. The farmers choose local blacksmith Jura Baran (Olaf Lubaszenko) to execute Sekal. Complicating matters, Baran has become close to the village priest -- and the parish housekeeper is Sekal's mother. Shown at the 1998 Karlovy Vary Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi