Havel - Slávek Horák

Havel is inspired by the life and personal development of Václav Havel, prominent Czech playwright, dissident and president. The film focuses on Havel's transformation from successful, later banned, playwright of the late 60s into human rights fighter in the 70s, leading to his presidency in the late 80s. A drama of self-doubting intellectual, torn between his own passions and self-imposed duties. From careless bohemian, Havel grows into mature personality, realizing the uniqueness of the opportunity he is given, but also the huge responsibility he has to accept. Both for the greater good and to prove his worth - above all to himself.As a commercial director, Slávek Horák has been successful worldwide for many years. His fiction short films were successful in the international competition Straight 8, a selection presented at the Cannes Film Festival. He was assistant director to Jan Sverák for the film Kolya, which won the 1997 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Havel is his second feature film. The screening is a part of a focus on contemporary Czech film during the Czech Presidency of the EU.