Something Like Happiness

Three young people who grew up together in an old housing block on the edge of an industrial town: Monika, Tonik and Dáša. Years later all three are in the same place and in the same corner. Monika has stayed in town and her life is spent waiting; Tonik has not been able to tell her anything for years; Dáša's mental health deteriorates and she is admitted to hospital. Her children are left behind and Monika starts looking after them. Bohdan Sláma follows them over the course of a year and stages no big events. Happiness here is not a goal but something you occasionally come across. The director promises nobody a way out and leaves nobody without hope. The film won the Golden Shell at San Sebastián in 2005 and swept the Czech Lion awards the following year.