For more than three decades, The Inheritance (Dědictví aneb Kurvahošigutntág, also known in English as The Inheritance or Fuckoffguysgoodday and The Inheritance or Fuck off, Boys, Guten Tag) has been a defining touchstone of Czech comedy. Directed by Věra Chytilová, the film follows the unlikely journey of Bohuš Stejskal, a simple Moravian villager whose life is upended when he unexpectedly inherits a vast estate. Its humor, satirical edge, and memorable lines have made the film a cultural reference point across generations.
The film’s restored re-release in Czech cinemas, scheduled for Jan. 22, gives audiences a chance to experience the story on the big screen, either as a nostalgic revisit or a first-time encounter. Over the years, the film has moved from mixed initial reception to enduring acclaim, now holding an 81 percent rating on ČSFD, the local version of IMDb. Its impact extends beyond the cinema, with several quotes that have entered the Czech vernacular.
Set in the small village of Olšany in the Vyškov district, the story centers on Bohuš (Bolek Polívka), a rural loner content with a slow-paced life of work in the forest and time spent with his friends over slivovice. This tranquility is disrupted by the arrival of the lawyer Ulrich (Miroslav Donutil), whose announcement of Bohuš’s inheritance sets off a chain of comedic misadventures, from extravagant spending to navigating romantic entanglements and the envy of fellow villagers.
Filming locations and local context
The Inheritance was primarily shot in Olšany and parts of Brno, with several scenes featuring the Moravian capital’s streets and establishments. The film’s scenes in the city, including a cameo by singer Karel Gott and a memorable restaurant sequence at Hotel Slavia, blend rural simplicity with urban eccentricity. Nightclub sequences were filmed at Brno’s Strip Bar Lady Marion, with the staff themselves doubling as extras, adding authenticity to the film’s local texture.
Chytilová’s direction balances the absurd and the familiar, using the locations to highlight Bohuš’s rustic worldview and the sudden intrusion of wealth and complexity into his previously straightforward life. This combination of local color and broad comedic scenarios helped the film resonate with audiences beyond its immediate regional setting, contributing to its lasting popularity.
Legacy and renewed interest
Upon its release, The Inheritance received mixed reviews, with some critics questioning the film’s reliance on slapstick humor and Polívka’s over-the-top performance. Over time, however, the film’s qualities became widely recognized. Its blend of biting satire, human absurdity, and sharp observation of social dynamics earned it a place in the canon of Czech cinema, with lines from the film becoming common references among audiences.
The restored re-release allows contemporary viewers to evaluate the film within both its historical context and ongoing influence. For fans of Czech cinema, it offers a reminder of Chytilová’s distinctive voice in comedy, while for newcomers, it provides an accessible entry point to a film that has shaped Czech humor for decades.
From Jan. 22, keep an eye out for English-subtitled screenings in Prague; The Inheritance can also currently be streamed locally with English subtitles on Netflix and HBO Max.
