Something like happiness

Stesti
Bohdan Slama :: Czech Republic :: 2005 :: 1h40

Generous but impractical young man, in love with his childhood friend, is brought to building a short life together with her through circumstance before she leaves to follow her fiancé abroad. These circumstances are taking care of two little boys of their mutual friend who could no longer cope psychologically. Their lives unfold in a run-down poverty stricken suburb with a view of a smoke-puffing plant. An environment which does not make matters any easier. But the movie is not about industrial society which can hand out technological gadgets nobody really needs but not enough jobs and all the misery which comes forth from that. The enigmatic title hints that their bitter surroundings and strong social bonds may both play a part in their constructing of their lives, as happy people. Their predicaments somewhat push them further in their lives, as they try to attain happiness, but it is still hard to see them actually getting there. Unfortunately the overall work is too depressing for my taste, making it a tough cookie to swallow.