YEAR OF THE DEVIL

Blend Leningrad Cowboys with “This is Spinal Tap” and it might look something like YEAR OF THE DEVIL. Meet Cechomor, an Eastern European ethnic-folk band whose members play gigs on street corners, in elevators of extremely penurious hotels, even movie wrap parties (truly a low point). Suddenly one of the country's most famous musicians, Jarek Nohavica, plucks the ensemble from obscurity to perform and tour with him. Despite all the time shared on the road and in rehearsal, Nohavica doesn't really reveal much about himself (except to repeat platitudes he learned at Alcoholics Anonymous). What Cechomor don't know is that their jams with Jarek really comprise therapy for Karel Plihal, Nohavica's longtime partner, inexplicably stricken with muteness, odd phobias and catatonia. Soon ghosts and possible angels are materializing onstage with the group, and when Cechomor no longer enjoys Nohavica's patronage, in steps Jaz Coleman, Mephistophelean front man for the English punk sensation Killing Joke, as their new leader/mentor. Then things get seriously weird. A Dutch documentary filmmaker, Jan, has been capturing the entire melodrama on camera, but as Jan's own sobriety unravels his footage seems to have, well, explosive impact. We waited impatiently to host the Cleveland premiere of writer-director Zelenka's cult hit “Buttoners” (23rd CIFF 1999). Now comes another unbalanced Czech account from “Petr Zelenka and his friends,” many of whom are actual artists and troubadours playing themselves. (In Czech and Dutch with English subtitles)