PÖFF: Closely Watched Trains

The legendary adaptation of an exuberant, yet delicate 1965 novella by Bohumil Hrabal tells the coming-of-age story of the young and inexperienced Miloš Hrma, serving as a station guard in central Bohemia at the close of the Second World War. Rather than taking an interest in the impending collapse of Nazi Germany, the timid young man focuses his attentions on women – as he seeks to lose his virginity and become a man. Menzel’s simple story benefits considerably from the sensitive black and white cinematography of cameraman Jaromír Šofr. 23-year-old singer Václav Neckář delivers an exceptional performance as the charming and naive Miloš. “Closely Watched Trains” was the recipient of the 1968 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.