This apocalyptic parable carries within it a clear echo of the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. This unforgiving exploration of the Czech mentality tells the tale of a troupe of wandering actors who perform a passion play in some unnamed village. Fear of some unknown danger breaks out in the village, which is cut off from the surrounding world. Stupidity, selfishness and aggressiveness then come to the surface in this society under threat. In the film__APOS__s key scene, a woman is raped by the self-styled leader. Zdenuk Mahler, who would later work on Forman__APOS__s examination Mozart Amadeus, worked on the script.
The director Evald Schorm (1929-1988) was one of the most original members of the Czech __QUOTE__New Wave__QUOTE__. During the __QUOTE__normalization__QUOTE__ era, Schorm spent many years unable to direct. His last film, Killing with Kindness (1988) was only made in the twilight years of Communism. During that period when he was unable to direct films, he became an outstanding stage director. He directed groundbreaking productions at the __QUOTE__Na zábradlí__QUOTE__ Theater and Laterna Magika.