A good-hearted prince from another kingdom wanders into a nearby realm that has been overtaken by dark forces in Czech director Roman Vavra's 2003 family-oriented fairy tale Cert Vi Proc (The Devil Knows Why). The realm of King Dobromil has descended into evil after the formerly good king makes a pact with Satan, which essentially transfers power to one of the king's ministers, a particularly diabolical man who proceeds to milk the kingdom's worth for his own personal gain. As the kingdom's populace begins to despair, hope returns to the countryside upon the arrival of a wandering knight named Philip. Actually a prince in disguise, Philip fulfills a somewhat distrusted prophecy and takes it upon himself to rescue King Dobromil and his kingdom from the Devil, while earning the respect and admiration of the king's daughter in the process. The fourth film from Vavra, The Devil Knows Why was selected as a participant in the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival.
by Ryan Shriver
synopsis
