Havel (2020)

It's the summer of '68 and the young Czech playwright Vaclav Havel is enjoying the heady atmosphere of new- found freedom as the iron grip of Soviet repression gradually loosens throughout ... See full synopsis »

Director:

Slávek Horák

Writers:

Slávek Horák, Rudolf Suchánek

Stars:

Anna Geislerová, Barbora Seidlová, Martin Hofmann

3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Anna Geislerová	...	Olga Havlová
Barbora Seidlová	...	Anna Kohoutová
Martin Hofmann	...	Pavel Landovský
Stanislav Majer	...	Pavel Kohout
Jirí Bartoska	...	Jan Patocka
Miroslav Hanus
Michelle Hansen	...	Hair dresser (as Michelle Hansenová)
Viktor Dvorák	...	Václav Havel
Anton Tataru	...	Russian soldier
Michal Isteník
Adrian Jastraban	...	Alexander Dubcek
Jan Kolarík

Storyline

It's the summer of '68 and the young Czech playwright Vaclav Havel is enjoying the heady atmosphere of new- found freedom as the iron grip of Soviet repression gradually loosens throughout Central Europe. In Havel's Prague, politics are as exciting as theatre, sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Havel, though, is a comfortable and acclaimed playwright, and he's determined to avoid conflict that might upset his world. He resists confrontation with the political authorities - led by the celebrated politician Alexander Dubcek - and he tries to carry out his romantic escapades without undermining his marriage to his beloved Olga. Havel's fling with freedom comes to an abrupt and violent end when Soviet Russia invades Czechoslovakia. When Havel refuses to sign a regime-sponsored document approving of the Russian occupation, the government removes him from his theater and from his prestigious position at the pinnacle of Czech cultural life. The now-banned author retreats from the limelight to his...

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Plot Keywords:

vaclav havel character | reference to vaclav havel | central europe | czech history | european history | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Tak dej se k nám a projdem svet
Music by Otakar Petrina, lyrics by Zdenek Rytír
Performed by Marta Kubisová

User Reviews

Heartwarming story (mostly)

The challenges and decisions of Czech artist/president Vaclav Havel. Great story in terms of understanding (at least having a glimpse of) struggles of Czech people throughout the 70s-90s, and also some cultural values. The film is both biographic and dramatic and this mixed style might not be for everyone, but I found it really tasteful since it's telling the story of a theatre artist first, who seems to cherish his people, and who stands against the dictatorian regime. He's definitely an interesting person, and the movie inspired me to read more of his works as a Czech resident.

Details

Country:

Czech Republic

Language:

Czech

Release Date:

23 July 2020 (Czech Republic)

Also Known As:

Havel

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,024,686

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ceská Televize, Film Makers, TVORBA films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min