If you thought you had rough teen years, try growing up in totalitarian Prague in the mid 70’s. Directed by Ondrej Trojan and written by Petr Jarchovsky, Identity Card follows the adventures of four rule-breaking friends in Russian-occupied Czechoslovakia.

One can’t help but grow attached to Petr (Libor Kovár), Venca (Matous Vrba), Ales (Jakub Sárka), Mita (Jan Vlcek) as they grow from ages 15 to 18 and juggle music, girls, school, the government, and parents throughout the movie.

The long-haired, poncho-wearing, rock ‘n roll-loving teen boys are a relatable bunch, and viewers will soon find themselves living their teen years right alongside the four. Emotions are not scant – expect a rollercoaster of everything from light-hearted fun as the boys sneak beer in a local pub, to righteous anger as they are pummeled by sleazy cops on their way to a rock concert.

The scenes in the plot transition smoothly, never leaving viewers bored. The events flow naturally, increasing in significance as the boys mature and grasp the full extent of their environment. Though Identity Card is a comedy, the film is rife with serious themes. Protagonists deal with ideas past their years in an unforgiving political climate, including cowardice, loyalty, freedom, and betrayal.

While the plot and execution of the movie are certainly noteworthy, the true highlight may have been the soundtrack. The music by Petr Ostrouchov, Bob Dylan, Lubos Bena and Matej, Ptaszek, and Sweet perfectly fit the mood, producing an indie and free-spirited feel. The popular period music not only swathes the film in an aura of nostalgia, but also serves to underscore the timeless themes explored in Identity Card.

Spoken in Czech with English subtitles, the movie’s somewhat otherworldly quality was perhaps doubly experienced by American viewers.

Overall, a touching and artfully produced film: five stars for this Cinequest indie flick.