1967 Czechoslovak Interactive Film Kinoautomat Released on DVD After Global Tour

The Czechoslovak film Kinoautomat: One Man and His House, an early interactive cinema experiment from 1967, is now available on DVD. Directed by Radúz Činčera, Ján Roháč, and Vladimír Svitáček with a screenplay by Pavel Juráček, the 63-minute film originally premiered at EXPO 1967 in Montreal. It allowed audiences to vote on narrative choices using red and green buttons during screenings, creating an illusion of control over the plot. The film toured internationally for seven years after its debut. Miroslav Horníček stars as a man reliving a day that ends with his house burning, with audiences deciding his actions at key moments. A master of ceremonies explains consequences before each vote, adding a moral dimension. Despite offering choices, all narrative paths converge at predetermined points, leading inevitably to the same fiery conclusion. This structure has been interpreted as a political allegory of Czechoslovakia's socialist system, offering only illusory democracy. The film was banned in Czechoslovakia shortly after its 1971 domestic release. Recent screenings in Prague featured original presenter Eduard Hrubeš, while Alena Činčerová, the director's daughter, has presented it at festivals. The DVD includes both Czech and English versions plus a 15-minute documentary with Činčera.