Majáles 65

1966 16mMovie

A documentary about Prague’s first state-authorised Majáles student festival since 1955, which took place under the auspices of the communist Czechoslovak Youth Union on 1 May 1965 in the Julius Fučík Park of Culture and Leisure. It captures the organisational preparations, the gathering on Wenceslas Square, the procession across the bridge and the celebrations at the Prague Exhibition Grounds. Allen Ginsberg, who was nominated King of Majáles, describes it as a festival of resurrection and joy and presents a bouquet to Miss Majáles. The film uses stop-motion shots to capture the slogans of the various universities, the speeches made by the candidates for King, the concerts, the fireworks, the bonfires and the entertainment provided by the various groups. It concludes with the organising committee’s evaluation of the event. It makes use of rapid pans, flash montages and tilted camera angles. The opening credits, which are painted on a wall and on the street paving, are also original.