Every Young Man [screening: Havel 90 Festival]

Pavel Juráček’s absurdist military diptych finds humor, loneliness, and quiet resistance in the daily lives of young conscripts. This screening is part of the Havel 90 Festival Film Marathon, a three-day exploration of Havel’s relationship with cinema within a four-day celebration of his life, art, and legacy. Every Young Man (Každý mladý muž) / dir. Pavel Juráček / 1965 / drama, satire / Czechoslovakia / Czech with English subtitles / 86 min. Structured as two loosely connected stories, Every Young Man follows young conscripts through medical visits, barracks routines, clumsy celebrations, fleeting encounters, and idle dreams. Their days are governed by commands and rituals that often seem detached from any clear purpose. In his feature directing debut, Pavel Juráček approaches military service not as battlefield spectacle but as institutional absurdity. Deadpan humor, sharp observation, and shifts between youthful fantasy and drab routine reveal how the system reduces individuals to uniforms while never fully extinguishing their awkward humanity. Václav Havel appears briefly as a hospital patient, an early screen cameo that connects the film to the artistic circle from which both men emerged. A distinctive work of the Czechoslovak New Wave, Every Young Man received the FIPRESCI Prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 1966. Havel 90 Festival is organized by the Czech Center New York and the Vaclav Havel Center, with support from the Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association. 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 screening begins; 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.