The film covers 24 hours In the life of Arnost Panek, the Chairman of the Local Communist People's Committee (played by Julius Pantik). His day starts happily with the return of his daughter who's been away studying and as he walks to work he greets and is happily greeted by the townspeople. He is clearly a considerate man and is well-respected and liked by the populace.
But his day spirals out of control when he is informed by a police inspector that one of his most trusted senior committee members (Kvasil) has been charged with rape. Panek's like unravels from here as he is confronted with evidence that Kvasil was dishonest and misappropriated funds. This leads Panek ro realise he should have been more aware of what was going on in his district and that to some degree he sowed the seeds that lead to the current situation. He starts to feel shame....
Ladislav Helge was able to direct this controversial film during the "Czech Spring", a less repressive period in Communist Czechoslovacchia. When the Soviet tanks rumbled in, in the summer of 1968, a more repressive regime was re-installed. Because of "Shame" the new regime banned Helge from directing again and he spent the rest of his working life in a Post Office.
Although the film is at times heavy on conversation, there are fine contemplative moments (as when Panek is silent and thoughtful) and some shots stay in the mind: the face of his daughter (and the reverse shot of Panek) viewed through a rainy bus window.
Worth chasing up.
