Alois Nebel

The small station of Bílý Potok, located in the midst of the Jeseník Mountains, strikes the casual observer as the very definition of the middle of nowhere. The trains that pass through have been accompanied by many a traumatic chapter from the history of the 20th century however. Melancholic station master Alois Nebel has seen it all; at times the burden, and his senses, grow heavy. Colleague Wachek takes advantage of the situation to have him shut up in an insane asylum, where Nebel encounters the mute with a score to settle.

An enthralling film based on the graphic novel by Jaroslav Rudiš and Jaromír 99 enjoys cult status back in its native Czech Republic. With the characters reminiscent of well-known Czech actors, their vivid gestures rendered in thick, black outlines, this outstanding contribution towards a critical examination of a recent chapter from the history of Central Europe won the 2012 European Film Award for Best Animated Feature Film. CF