Czech prison series “Section B” from the makers of “Most!” starts well

TV Nova’s new series “Section B” (Oddíl B), which the channel launched on Friday evening on the Oneplay platform, is so far living up to viewers’ expectations. That is the verdict based on the first four episodes made available to the Deník newspaper. It comes from the proven creative duo Petr Kolečko and Jan Prušinovský, whose credits include the hit “Most!”.

This time they have turned to prison stories based on the personal experience of one of the series’ protagonists, Zdeněk Godla. The series has already made a successful debut at the Serial Killer festival in September and won a special mention from the jury.

The new man in the cell

At the centre of the story is young David Broulík, who is entering prison and quietly hopes it will not be for long. He told his girlfriend Darja that he was leaving for a while to join the Foreign Legion. By the first episode the truth comes out, and David learns that he will be inside for longer than he expected.

He is moved from a better single cell to the “brown” (that is, Roma) cell of Section B, where he is, to put it mildly, not welcome. The newcomer faces fights between prison gangs, bullying and a complete lack of privacy. He is afraid of the strict head guard (brilliantly played by Zuzana Stivínová) and a treacherous drug dealer, and finds support only in the prison educator, a reservist (Matěj Hádek). David’s place in the hierarchy changes when his cellmates find out he secretly has a mobile phone.

Humour and authenticity

Do not expect heavy drama. Kolečko once again serves up well-drawn social types, politically incorrect humour and a string of sharp one-liners, while Prušinovský makes sure the writer does not run wild. The opening scene, in which the head guard makes a prisoner retrieve a phone from his rectum, does not lack harsh black humour.

Two things add to the story’s authenticity: the creators drew on the tales of Zdeněk Godla, who plays Saša Karvai, the cell’s boss, and they cast non-professionals as well as actors, including Roma performers and director Václav Marhoul as Macík. Viktor Tauš plays David’s lawyer. Given the bold casting, the acting is uneven here and there, and some less experienced performers are not always easy to understand, but according to the reviewer viewers will happily forgive that.

An interesting face is Tadeáš Moravec, who gives David the right mix of naivety, amazement and gradual hardening. The excellent music with country motifs was written by Ondřej Sifon Anděra, who also worked with the director on the film Grand Prix.

“Section B” has made a good start, and whether it becomes another hit will be shown by the next episodes. Deník’s rating: 70 percent.

Around Prague, based on reporting by denik.cz