Rivers of Babylon

Overview

Dark satire about bare-knuckled capitalism in the immediate post-Cold War era. Set just as the Communist government is collapsing, the film focuses on the brutish Racz, the handyman in a Bratislava hotel. Knowing that his job is insured for life, Racz turns off the building's heat and demands food, money, and sex to have it restored. The film is narrated by a pimp named Urban who explains that people in the former Czechoslovakia were so used to being abused that they simply put up with Racz's corruption. By the end of the film, Racz's fortunes have changed considerably. Instead of being a lowly worker, he is now a ruthless and wealthy businessman, unafraid to kill or kidnap those who get in his way.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

April 23, 1998

Original language

Slovak

Spoken languages

Slovak

Countries

Czech Republic, France, Slovakia

Production

Česká televize,ALEF Film & Media Group,Ateliéry Bonton Zlín,Alef Studio Bratislava,Markíza Slovakia,Salvo Film

Cast

Andrej Hryc,Štefan Mišovic,Peter Bzdúch,Oldřich Navrátil,Klára Roštárová,Ladislav Kerata,Ivan Kaufmann,Richard Müller,Maria Schubertová,Martin Dohnaland 15 more

Director

Vladimír Balco

Writer

Marian Urban,Peter Pišťanek,Vladimír Balco

Producer

Marian Urban

Cinematography

Martin Štrba

Music

Jaroslav Filip

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

IMDb

View on IMDb