The Joke

Ludvik Jahn (Josef Somr) is a card-carrying member of the Communist party until he makes the error of telling a joke that goes over poorly. Stripped of his membership, Ludvik plots his retaliation for almost two decades before deciding to get back at his former comrades by having an affair with Helena (Jana Dítetová), the spouse of a party official. It soon becomes evident that Ludvik's efforts are in vain, however, leaving him further embittered and in search of a way to exorcise his demons. …