The Firemen's Ball

The Firemen's Ball
Theatrical release poster
Hoří, má panenko!
Directed byMiloš Forman
Written by
Produced byRudolf Hájek
StarringJan Vostrčil
CinematographyMiroslav Ondříček
Edited byMiroslav Hájek
Music byKarel Mareš
Release date
  • 15 December 1967 (1967-12-15)
Running time
73 minutes
CountryCzechoslovakia
LanguageCzech
Budget$65,000

The Firemen's Ball (or Fireman's Ball; Czech: Hoří, Má Panenko - "Fire, My Lady") is a 1967 Czechoslovak New Wave satirical comedy directed by Miloš Forman. It is set at the annual ball of a small town's volunteer fire department, and the plot portrays a series of disasters that occur during the evening. The film uses few professional actors – some characters are played by the firemen of the small town where it was filmed.[1] By portraying the prevailing corruption of the local community and the collapse of even well-intentioned plans, the film satirized the communist system.

The Firemen's Ball was the last film Forman made in his native Czechoslovakia before he relocated to the United States. It is also the first film he shot in color, as well as a milestone of the Czechoslovak New Wave.

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