Valerie and Her Week of Wonders

Arguably the last great hurrah of Czechoslovakia's New Wave, Jaromil Jireš' 1970 surreal fantasy defies easy explanation as the eponymous young Valerie finds herself transported through dream-like adventures involving odd characters who create sinister scenarios tied to sex, religion, violence, the menstrual cycle, and Valerie's potential inheritance of her stern grandmother's house. Part Alice in Wonderland, part Little Red Riding Hood, and more than a bit Dali-esque around the edges, Valerie and Her Week of Wonders—based on the titular 1945 novel by Vítězslav Nezval—is often too experimental for its own good, emphasizing style over substance. But the film definitely deserves attention due to the astonishing performance by 13-year-old Jaroslava Schallerová as Valerie, who is both innocent and sensual—an enigmatic force at the center of a series of freaky happenings. Jan Curik's rich color cinematography is brilliantly enhanced in a new 4k digital restoration on this Criterion release, which features extras including new and archival interviews, an alternate soundtrack, three of Jireš' rarely seen early shorts, and an essay by critic Jana Prikryl. Fans of the avant-garde will appreciate this flawed but also fascinating film. A strong optional purchase. (P. Hall)