Valerie and Her Week of Wonders

It's remarkable that something like this was made at a time of already solidifying normalisation, when many of the new wave filmmakers were already banned. This is a difficult film to grasp, unclassifiable by genre, something between horror and dark fairytale, a poetic narrative that can't be taken with reason, rather just felt. But even more than Jireš's bold approach to the viewer (a kind of "here you have it and deal with it as you wish"), I appreciate the work of the artist Ester Krumbachová, who did a great job and many of her visual compositions are unforgettable. For many viewers, the result is a hard-to-digest cinematic experiment, which I quite enjoyed for its otherness, but which was a tough nut to crack in places. Of course, it's good to know that pedophiles wear a necklace made of animal teeth :o) (2015-01-04)

The poetic horror Valerie and Her Week of Wonders - based on the poem by Vítězslav Nezval - is, from a formal perspective, one of the most intriguing films in Czechoslovak cinema. Despite its aesthetic uniqueness, it has found a relatively small but dedicated group of fans worldwide. Jaromil Jireš succeeded in creating a unique atmosphere of mystery, with the artistic contribution of Ester Krumbachová adding to its visual uniqueness. Furthermore, the choice of the main actress was fortunate, as Jaroslava Schallerová, despite not being a professional actress, managed to imbue her character with exceptional fragility and the charm of a girl entering puberty and beginning to perceive her femininity. It's lightly erotic, dreamy, and fantastical. Overall impression: 95%. This film is certainly not suitable for horror fans expecting a terrifying, bloody spectacle. (2006-06-17)

A very unconventional Czech film in its conception and execution, in which fantastic as well as erotic and lyrical elements collide, with the result being an original impression. Personally, however, I was not impressed by the film in any significant way, but I do appreciate the many scenes depicted, the creative imagination and the courage to make something like this (given the age of Jaroslava Schallerová). To be honest, I don't really know what exactly I should think of this film as a whole. (2013-06-05)

I discovered Valerie and Her Week of Wonders thanks to Tim Burton, who drew inspiration from it for the finale of Big Fish. From the start, it was quite strange, and I'll admit, I had no idea what was happening at first. However, I recognize that this film has several merits. For one, Jaroslava Schallerová's performance in the lead role is exceptional. She truly stands out. The film carries a horror-tinged, sexual vibe that’s surprising given its era. About an hour in, the incestuous elements left me feeling quite bewildered. But the film redeems itself with a beautiful ending and equally impressive music. I can definitely see why Burton found it inspiring. (2022-11-07)

Can I like a film with line: "Valery, my father is a polecat!"? I don’t think so. (2010-06-16)