Zdenek Troška's 'Sun, Hay, Strawberries' Trilogy Celebrated as Czech Rural Icon

Director Zdeněk Troška created the comedy trilogy that began with *Sun, Hay, Strawberries* in 1984. Set in his native village of Hoštice in South Bohemia, he mixed professional actors with local residents, giving the films an authentic feel that has kept them on Czech television for decades. The original story follows a student at an agricultural school who tries to increase cow milk production by playing music for the herd, a quirky plot point that remains memorable to audiences.

The success of the first film prompted two sequels, *Sun, Hay and a Few Slaps* (1989) and *Sun, Hay, Erotica* (1991). Troška’s casting choices included veteran actress Jiřina Jirásková as Hubičková and local resident Marie Pilátová, whose single film role became an iconic line in the series. Despite occasional tension between crew and villagers, the movies have become symbols of South Bohemian rural life and are regarded as cult classics in Czech cinema.