Floating down the Luznice: A quiet trip into the past

Is it worth your time?

If you have zero patience for films that are basically just 'vibes' and sunshine, stay far away. You will be bored out of your mind within five minutes. But, if you’re the type of person who likes to put on a record and stare out the window, this little piece of history might actually be your thing. It’s less of a movie and more of a ghost story about a summer that didn't know the world was about to break.

Watching this feels like finding a dusty postcard in an attic. It’s lyrical, I guess, but mostly it’s just young people paddling canoes. They look so fit and healthy. It’s a bit eerie knowing what was waiting for them just a few years down the line.

The rhythm of the water

Jiří Weiss isn't trying to tell you a grand story here. There is no big twist. There is no villain. Just the river and the light hitting the trees. Sometimes the camera stays on a ripple for a few seconds too long, and I caught myself actually zoning out, which I think is exactly the point.

There’s this one shot of a medieval castle looming over the river that made me pause. It looks so permanent. Everything else—the canoes, the linen shirts, the smiles—feels so temporary. It’s a strange juxtaposition, really.

• The sound design is basically just wind and water, which is a nice break from modern noise.
• The athletic shots are oddly charming, like a weirdly wholesome 1930s fitness commercial.
• I kept waiting for a plot to kick in, then realized I was the one being impatient.

It’s funny how movies like this end up feeling more real than big, expensive dramas. It reminds me a bit of the simplicity found in Prometey, though they are obviously doing very different things. You aren't watching actors pretend to be people; you’re watching people who have been dead for decades just… existing.

Is it a masterpiece? Probably not. Is it a strange, beautiful little relic? Definitely. I don't think I'll watch it again, but I'm glad I didn't click away. Sometimes you just need to see the sun on a river for a while. 🛶☀️