Keeping it in Czech
posted by ModeratorFiled under: Media Literacy, Media Pranks, Pranksters
Submitted by Peter Schlager:
Czech Dream (ÄŒeský sen in Czech) is a documentary film directed by two young Czech directors, VÃt Klusák and Filip Remunda. It records a large-scale hoax perpetuated by Klusák and Remunda on the Czech public, culminating in the “opening event” of a fake “hypermarket”. The filmmakers succeeded in attracting more than 3 thousand shoppers to an empty plain for their “grand opening” on May 31, 2003. What looked like a huge building from a distance was actually only a canvas facade backed by scaffolding.
The film hit selected theaters in the U.S. starting in June. Check here for the remaining dates in September for Seattle and Chicago.
The “bloody trailer” and a film scene can be downloaded here. Bloody trailer is in quotes because there appears to be a “blood-free” trailer which may be more aligned with reality (both are available on the DVD which is for sale).
Here’s some movie footage [9:30]:
Further reading:
Tribeca Film Festival Interview with Filip Remunda, Director of Czech Dream
Wikipedia article about Czech Dream
Czech Radio (ÄŒeský Rozhlas): Cesky sen hypermarket: the Czech dream that didn’t come true, February 6, 2003
The Economist: Fun at the Czech-out, August 5, 2004 (subscription required).
The Village Voice: Reality Czech in Aisle Nine, June 13, 2007
New York Times: Comedy of Capitalism, June 15, 2007
