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About this Event
Traps / dir. Věra Chytilová / 1998 / dark comedy, satire / Czechia / Czech with English subtitles / 124 minutes
A vet, a politician, and a businessman walk into a forest... different people emerge. Věra Chytilová’s Traps is a razor-sharp feminist satire about power, gender, and revenge, set in post-communist Czechia’s bloodthirsty capitalism.
Corrupt MP Dohnal (Miroslav Donutil), aided by his former classmate, architect Petr (Tomáš Hanák), brutally rapes young veterinarian Lenka (Zuzana Stivínová) in the woods. But Lenka turns the tables—using her professional skills, she sedates both men and surgically castrates them. From there, all three spiral into an escalating vortex of conflict. Dohnal scrambles to keep the scandal under wraps, Petr struggles to shake off the women who relentlessly pursue him, and Lenka is crushed by guilt before her boyfriend, environmental activist Michal (Luboš Svoboda)—who ultimately betrays her through an affair with her best friend Anna (Eva Holubová) and attempts to exploit Lenka’s trauma to blackmail Dohnal for an environmental cause.
In this film, Věra Chytilová sharpens her blade of dark humor and pierces superficial society with surgical precision—relentless, unforgiving. With her trademark blend of grotesque surrealism and moral urgency, Chytilová mercilessly exposes the hypocrisy of the post-communist elite and the systems that shield them. What starts as a bitterly ironic game quickly morphs into a harrowing exploration of manipulation, toxic masculinity, and the arrogance of power.
A brilliantly sharp, daring, and uncompromising film from one of the most iconic figures of the Czech New Wave. Instead of catharsis, expect trap after trap—and a laughter that stings.
This year’s rooftop cinema series revisits the 1990s in Czechoslovakia and Czechia — a time when freedom seemed to have no limits. A coming-of-age moment for both individuals and a country, the decade saw the rise of cult classics like The Ride, The Idiot Returns, Buttoners, The Smoke, The Garden… and more.
DISCLAIMER
Tickets and Admission: Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. All ticket sales are final. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the show starts; latecomers may be refused admission.
Media Recording Notice: By attending this event hosted by the Czech Center New York, you consent to being photographed and recorded. The Czech Center New York and its partners may use these images and recordings for promotional purposes.
Health and Safety: By attending this event at the Czech Center New York, you acknowledge and accept that participation is voluntary and at your own risk. The Czech Center New York is not responsible for any illness, injury, or other health-related issues that may arise before, during, or after the event. We encourage all guests to follow current health guidelines and act responsibly for their own safety and that of others.
Weather Contingency: In the event of rain, the screening will be held in the cinema on the ground floor of the Czech Center. Please note that catering services may be limited or unavailable in this setting and outside food and beverages are not permitted.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, New York, United States
USD 12.51
