Payment in Kind

In this unconventional drama directed by Jaromil Jires, we follow an older lawyer as he moves to practice law in a quiet, picturesque countryside village. Rather than delving into the intricacies of legal procedures or political issues, the film explores the complexities and vulnerabilities of human relationships through a series of unconventional court cases.Each case serves as a microcosm for broader societal issues, revealing the darker aspects of human nature. One such case involves a nephew who swindles his aging aunt out of her savings, insisting in court that he received them as a gift rather than stealing them. However, the aunt's testimony reveals it was intended as a loan, highlighting how even within family relationships, greed and deceit can prevail.Despite technically winning the case, the lawyer's efforts seem futile as the human cost is too high: his payment comes in the form of rabbits because the aunt has no currency, and she ultimately falls prey to her nephew's manipulations once again. The film continues to present such cases that expose similar types of petty corruption, offering a poignant commentary on the nature of trust, greed, and exploitation within our society.