Archive of films What Is to Be Done? (A Journey from Prague to Český Krumlov, or How I Formed a New Government) / Co dělat? (Cesta z Prahy do Českého Krumlova aneb Jak jsem sestavoval novou vládu)

Czech Republic
1996, 216 min

Section: Tribute to Karel Vachek
Year: 2010

A multifaceted film essay that, in many respects, reflects the "opposition” and proposes a creative approach to the kind of life which confronts creativity with providential determination. Literally an intellectual shift towards possible alternatives with the help of two buses, a colourful cast of characters and assorted film technicians. Arguably Karel Vachek’s most important work.


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.

Contacts

Produkce Radim Procházka
Řehořova 54, 130 00, Praha 3
Czech Republic
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.radimprochazka.com

About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section: Tribute to Karel Vachek
   
Director: Karel Vachek
Screenplay: Karel Vachek
Dir. of Photography: Karel Slach
Music: Jiří Vondrovic
Editor: Renata Pařezová
Production: Česká televize / Czech Television, Krátký film Praha, a.s., Barrandov Biografia a.s.
Cast: Eva Vobrubová, Pepa Nos, Jiří Haager, Eda Kriseová, Jiří Krejčík, Miloš Kirschner, Andrej Stankovič, Vlasta Chramostová, Eva Zvolská, Stanislav Milota, Jan Vodňanský
Contact: Produkce Radim Procházka
Distributor: Produkce Radim Procházka

Guests

Radim Procházka

Film Director, Producer, Tutor / Trainer

Karel Vachek

Film Director


Renata Pařezová

Film Editor

Karel Slach

Director of Photography


Libor Sedláček

Film Crew

YouTube

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