Wojciech Jerzy Has - A Noose (aka A Loop) [1957]

An adaptation of a short story by Marek Hlasko (screenplay: Marek Hlasko, Wojciech Jerzy Has). A study of alcoholism with an excellent performance by Gustaw Holoubek as Kuba, a man who helplessly tries to battle his addiction before ultimately giving up and committing suicide. The action is limited to a single day, with camera stubbornly accompanying the protagonist in his apartment and throughout his useless wanderings about town. A purposely slow narrative tempo and expressionistic tones in the scenery combine to build a mood of hopelessness. The film depicts the state of mind of its protagonist, who finds himself in a desperate situation. Critics universally underlined the pessimism of the film, though some (notably, Konrad Eberhardt) also noted its creative qualities.