From writer-star Zdenek Sverák and his director-son Jan, the duo responsible for the Oscar-winning Kolya, comes an intelligent, bittersweet comic drama about an ageing rebel for whom retirement presents a chance to ultimately come of age.

When cantankerous Prague schoolteacher Josef finally gets fed up with his unruly charges, he decides to leave the profession. But he can’t stand being at home all day, and refuses to join the old fogeys in the park, so he looks for a new career. After a comically harrowing stint as a bike messenger, he winds up in the local supermarket, recycling empty bottles. From the comparative safety of his “returns” window, unrepentant womanizer Josef can appreciate shapely female shoppers and lend a sympathetic ear to colleagues and customers. He becomes a matchmaker of sorts, even finding a new man for divorced daughter Helena (Tatiana Vilhelmová), although unbeknownst to her. But as Josef’s 40th wedding anniversary approaches, it’s clear he must make amends with neglected wife Eliska (Daniela Kolárová).

Empties’ shrewd and humane look at relationships and the fear of becoming obsolete set an all-time record at the Czech box office.

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