What Is to Be Done? (A Journey from Prague to Český Krumlov, or How I Formed a New Government)

Colour, 35 mm
Czech Republic, 1996, 216 min
Section: Tribute to Karel Vachek

Synopsis

Quite a few years have passed since November 1989. Czechoslovakia has been divided up and, in the Czech Republic, Václav Klaus’s right- wing government is in power. Karel Vachek follows on from his film New Hyperion, thus continuing his series of comprehensive film documentaries in which he maps out Czech society and its real and imagined elites in his own unique way. This time he joins the "opposition”: he leaves Prague and the official political scene and sets out in search of alternatives – on a political, cultural and existential level. He travels to Český Krumlov in two buses filled with artists, academics, scientists and various other intriguing figures and, as part of this "new government assembly”, together they discuss civil, cultural and also life attitudes. The film captures events as they unfold, but also takes on a self-reflexive role incorporating elements of performance. Director Jiří Krejčík prophesies the twilight of civilisation, Ivan Jirous steals Professor Žilka’s soup, Petr Cibulka uncovers a Communist conspiracy, and Karel Vachek demonstrates his own reconstruction of the Battle of Sudoměř. Tomáš Vorel takes an opportunity to have a kip.... With surprising insight, this multilayered film essay touches not only on cultural and political issues, but also on the very essence of the audiovisual media. What Is To Be Done? is often considered Karel Vachek’s most important film work.