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Milos Forman, celebrated director of 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' and 'Amadeus,' began life as the defining director of Czech New Wave cinema in the 1960's. His first colour film, 'The Firemen's Ball' (Hori, ma panenko), was arguable his best, drawing the ire of the censors for its provocative depiction of bumbling Soviet-era firemen, satirical symbols of a crumbling Czech state.
A hilarious portrayal of well-intentioned provincial firemen determined to celebrate the 86th birthday of their retired chief, the story builds to a sizzling climax as reluctant beauty queens, lottery prize pilfers and drunk officials spoil the party at the vaunted Firemen's Ball. Described as an allegory for the floundering Czech leadership on the eve of the Prague Spring, the film was "banned forever" following the Russian invasion, prompting Milos Forman's flight to America.
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