Prey

Émile Zola’s second novel in a series of studies of the Rougon-Macquart family during the so-called Second French Empire under Napoleon III. Bonaparte takes us into the business and political circles around the imperial court, which include the people who benefit from the modern reconstruction of Paris. The television adaptation depicts the power-love drama of a naive woman from a noble family who marries into the family of a “nouveau riche” merchant, Saccard. Hana Maciuchová plays the strong lead role, while Rudolf Hrušínský depicts her cold and calculating husband. This colourful television production full of intrigue, machinations, seduction and deceit was written and directed by the experienced TV creator Eva Sadková. (Noir Film Festival)