I’m a little late to the latest Second Run party because I’ve been caught up moving house. As a welcome escape from packing stress, I found myself lost in the Blu Ray World Premiere of Juraj Herz’s Oil Lamps (1971). Second Run have been a long-time champion of Herz’s work, they introduced me to his masterpiece The Cremator (1960), while they have also released Beauty and the Beast (1978) and Morgiana (1972), both of which are sitting on my shelf waiting for the perfect evening to get lost in another of Herz’s nightmares. The work Second Run have done in bringing Herz’s wider filmography to public attention has been impeccable and Oil Lamps provides an opportunity to see Herz conducting a dazzling psycho-sexual period piece.
Happy-go-lucky Stepa (Iva Janžurová) desires to marry and have a family, but her fiercely independent nature doesn’t fit the strict ideals of what’s expected from a housewife in the small town of Jilemnice in the 1900’s. Out of desperation, she marries her cousin Pavel (Petr Čepek), a former lieutenant and gambler, who is haunted by his past. Pavel had previously lived a promiscuous life, wherein Stepa had spied him forcing himself onto woman, but he doesn’t show Stepa any attention. Pavel becomes more disgruntled with each passing day, while Stepa yearns for love and affection. The two never consummate their marriage. The film ends in heart-breaking fashion, with Pavel growing sick from Syphilis and Stepa left wanting for the family she never got to start.
Juraj Herz creates such a decadent visual world. The detailed production design and camera work are stunning. The new 4K restoration really does the lavish production justice. I was once again blown away by Herz’s craft — the way he builds the town, their societal values and how Stepa struggles to fit in feels specific and textured. I never take for granted how joyful it is to discover a director’s work in such incredible quality. I found myself lost in the imagery, later rewinding to just appreciate the grand beauty of the frames. There’s some particularly striking components in Oil Lamps that have stayed with me. Herz’s distinctive inclusion of musical performances and stage theatre bring a level of theatrical artifice that feels impactful, especially as it erodes more and more as the film falls into bleak reality. The finale (which I won’t spoil) elevates everything with this kind of tragic, transcendent train journey that compounds misfortune and misery. Iva Janžurová is at her best here, able to convey the heartache of a life that she won’t get to lead.
Second Run have released another must-buy. They continue to position themselves as a company who are steadfastly committed to shining a light on under-seen films and spotlighting talented filmmakers. As ever with them, I am left wanting more in the best way. I hope we get more of Herz’s back catalogue in the future. Oil Lamps is brilliant package which also includes A Projection Booth Commentary with film historians Mike White, Kat Ellinger and Jonathan Owen, Conversation on a Train (Rozhovor ve vlaku, 1947); a Czech public information short film on the perils of alcohol and STD’s and a 20 page booklet featuring a new essay by author and Czech Cinema expert Peter Hames.
OIL LAMPS IS OUT NOW ON SECOND RUN BLU-RAY
Jimmy’s Archive – Oil Lamps (1971)
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