underground cinema

Taking Off

7 november 20:30 - 22:30

TAKING OFF 1971

Directed by Milos Forman
93 minutes
In English with English subtitles

This is a rare cinematic gem from 1971, that is rarely shown and until recently has been almost impossible to see for the last 30 years. When I was young it was considered an anti-establishment classic at the universities. It is known as Milos Forman's first American film, but Forman (One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amadeus) himself has referred to it as his “last Czech film”. I agree with his statement, because it has a magical humor that he would soon lose once he was in the States for a while. The movie takes place in the middle of the Hippie movement in America and is about a father (Buck Henry) who is looking for his runaway daughter. His search takes him through the labyrinth of alternative cultures of that time.

Taking Off is about culture shock in several different ways. The first is for director Milos Forman, who just arrived from Czechoslovakia, and at this point still very much an European film maker - who now finds himself in the middle of puritanical America. But on a narrative level the film is about the severe changes that were erupting in the States in the late 60s... the shift from a right-wing conservative society of the early 60s...to one exploding with a sex, drugs and rock'n'roll counterculture.

The script is a collaboration between director Milos Forman and Jean-Claude Carrière (Belle de jour, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie), but besides the storyline of the film, it is also a wonderful time-capsule of a fascinating time in history. And if you look closely you will see a very young Carly Simon, Jessica Harper (Argento's Suspria), and Tina Turner among the cast.