The Ear

The deputy minister and his wife have become accustomed to constant spying and eavesdropping by state security. Even at home, they have a snooping "ear" recording their conversations. One day, however, after returning late from a government reception at their villa, they panic - for they deduce that Ludvík is facing arrest for a critical report he contributed to. During an anxious, sleepless night, the couple discusses their relationship of compromise, deceit and dislike. With the morning comes fatigue, sobriety, and a terrifying reality: nothing ends, but continues... The masterful psychological drama The Ear, an outspoken indictment of totalitarian regime practices, was filmed in a freer atmosphere in the late 1960s, but did not reach audiences until after 1990.

Synopsis

Deputy Minister Ludvík and his wife Anna return late in the evening from the reception at the head of state. They cannot find the keys to the villa and when Ludvík climbs over the gate, Anna discovers that it is unlocked. He also discovers other strange things. There is no electricity or telephone in the house, the feeling of being threatened is getting stronger. Ludvík recalls the conversations at the reception where he learned that his superior minister had been arrested along with others. He realizes that he himself helped write the report on the brickyards, which was perhaps the reason for the minister's arrest, and tries to destroy all documents that could endanger him. The tense situation causes an argument between the couple, in which Anna scolds Ludvík for his reckless careerism. When a group of unknown men ring the doorbell, it is clear to both of them that Ludvík will be arrested. Instead, the uninvited guests drink and have fun with Ludvík. Even in the kitchen, where the couple discovers a listening device. The "ear" heard everything, even a marital quarrel full of name-calling and old taboos. It dawns, the frightened couple huddle again in self-defense against danger, after which they are startled by the ringing of the telephone: from it Ludvík learns that he has been appointed minister.