People are afraid of the usurer Chazaj and are convinced that he is the bearer of evil. One day Chazaj pays a visit to the poor artist Simon Jordán and asks him to paint his portrait. Simon agrees but as he progresses with the work his mind conjures up terrible thoughts and in the end he commits suicide. The portrait looks lifelike and Chazaj is content with the results. After Chazaj's death the picture changes hands and brings misfortune to all who own it. The last victim is the young painter Roman who buys Chazaj's portrait in a bazaar. He finds a treasure in the frame and begins to live well off it. The comfortable life suits him so well that he rejects his original artistic aims and becomes a painter of fashionable kitsch.
Simon Jordán / Stepán Jordán
Martina Jordánová
Painter Roman
Professor Mikulás
Extortioner Chazaj
Jáchym
Marcel Bernard
Mrs. Viktorová
Líza Viktorová
Bussinesman Viktor
Mr. Zemblovský
Merchant Image
Homegrown
Screenplay
Director
Production Manager
Set Decoration
Unit Production Manager
Assistant Camera
Costume Design
Makeup & Hair
Production Design
Art Designer
Short Story
Camera Operator
Executive Producer
Sound
Creative Producer
Editor
Original Music Composer
Conductor
Director of Photography