A Man Against Destruction

The Later Life of a Film? Czech Films That Have Been Somewhat Forgotten II

Directed by Štěpán Skalský, Czechoslovakia 1990, 1989, 89 min.

For a long time, the personality of Karel Čapek did not receive the kind of attention in Czechoslovak cinema that it truly deserved. Even before the “Velvet Revolution,” director Štěpán Skalský took on the challenging task of portraying the writer’s life. Although the film premiered only in 1990, it serves as a compelling example of a work reflecting the loosening of censorship in the late 1980s. In the narrative, structured as fragmented memories of the ailing writer, the character of Čapek’s close friend – President Masaryk – also appears, a figure that domestic cinema had carefully avoided for decades. At the heart of the film is Josef Abrhám, who portrays Karel Čapek with both heartfelt authenticity and outstanding professional dedication.

Introductory lecture: film historian Jan Lukeš