The American comedy drama Late Night, directed by Canadian Nisha Ganatra, is currently playing in Czech cinemas. The feature film that closed the 54th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival looks behind the scenes at the cruel world of television entertainment.

The only woman to have hosted a nighttime talk show in America for any length of time is the aging Katherine Newbury. The once popular host, whose arrogance and authority were immediately apparent, has seen her audience decline because she has failed to adapt to current social and technological trends. Television management wants to replace her with a younger, more condescending host.

In addition, Katherine was branded by journalists as a womanizer for not hiring any of them. As a result, she decided to add a screenwriter to her writing team to help her get back on top. However, at the time, the only one available was the inexperienced Molly. The Indian woman, who had previously worked in a chemist’s shop and written TV shows, had no experience. Nevertheless, she did not lack self-confidence – and she was convinced that show business was just waiting for her trademark honesty and humor.

Mainstream Late Night is a contradictory work that, on the one hand, highlights the current American “excessive truth” in an original and humorous way, prioritizing gender balance and absolute racial equality. On the other hand, the idea that is constantly being spread that women should be given priority because of the work they do, not because of their gender and nationality, seems to me even parodic because of the humor used.

The obvious reason to watch Late Night is British actress Emma Thompson, whose sarcastic remarks shine above a galaxy of mediocre acting. It takes predictable storytelling and unnecessary sentimentality to a new level. She’s perfect as the cynical presenter who doesn’t even know her employees’ names.

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