CITIZEN HAVEL

Politics/Biography, Czechia 2008

The film Citizen Havel directed by Pavel Koutecký and Miroslav Janek looks behind the scenes of the political and private dramas of the presidential period of Václav Havel. The viewers will see his nervousness during the first election of the Czech president or his anguish during the rehearsal of the presidential acceptance speech, they will learn that he can recite Šrámek’s Silver Wind or pour Miloš Zeman a shot of becherovka. But the camera follows him also in situations where he gets really angry and complains about poorly made shirts. The film will also finally unravel several long-standing mysteries of Czech politics – how Václav Klaus managed to break into a jazz club and who put Jacques Chirac in a seat next to the first lady. Director Pavel Koutecký started shooting the film in 1992 and followed the first Czech president for more than thirteen years. Unfortunately, Koutecký did not see the premiere of his most interesting and biggest film. After his tragic death in the spring of 2006, director Miroslav Janek took over and finished the film.
122 min
HD
Starting at 6
Audio language:
Czech
Subtitles:
English

Awards

DOK Leipzig DOC Alliance Award

Further recommendations

More information

Original title:

Občan Havel

Original language:

Czech

Format:

16:9 HD, Color

Age rating:

Starting at 6

Audio language:

Czech

Subtitles:

English