Archive of films Bullet for Heydrich (The Czech Century) / Kulka pro Heydricha (České století)

Czech Republic
2013, 73 min

Section: Czech Films 2012–2013
Year: 2013

The Czech government-in-exile of President Beneš and the intelligence service are trying to solve a situation in their occupied homeland. But views vary on how to galvanize a nation that some have already written off. Is assassination a legitimate option? One episode of a nine-part television series highlighting key moments in Czech history.

Synopsis

The Second World War breaks out and President Beneš’s government-in-exile, together with the intelligence service headed by František Moravec, attempts to revitalise a down-trodden nation. But the positions held by key players regarding possible courses of action, and their consequences, differ considerably. Divergent interests, however, ultimately lead to a joint decision to carry out a mission which simply cannot be postponed. In this ambitious television series, author and screenwriter Pavel Kosatík teamed up with director Robert Sedláček to accept a challenge to present unknown or even deliberately ignored perspectives on key events in Czechoslovak history. Their aim is not to set these events in stone; on the contrary, history is shown in all its ambiguity, and its prime movers are also revealed in situations that expose their weaknesses. The result is a vivid, well-conceived and provocative drama which clearly demonstrates that sometimes it’s not possible simply to wait for destiny to fulfil itself; history needs help to move on in order to avoid total stagnation.

About the director

Robert Sedláček (b. 1973, Gottwaldov/Zlín, Czechoslovakia) is one of the Czech Republic’s most distinctive filmmakers and one of the few who focus on the current social situation and its origins. After studying documentary film at FAMU (2000) he worked for Czech TV and Febio; his interest in topical themes is evident from his documentary work, which he frequently devotes to intriguing and complex characters in Czech public life. His feature debut, Rules of Lies (Pravidla lži, 2006), competed in the East of the West section, while Men in Rut (Muži v říji, 2009) was selected by Variety critics for screening at Karlovy Vary. A satirical dimension is also evident in his comedy The Greatest Czechs (Největší z Čechů, 2010) and the bleak TV movie Assholes (Sráči, 2011). Long Live the Family! (Rodina je základ státu, 2011), also presented at KVIFF, won all the main Czech Film Critics’ Awards.

Contacts

Česká televize
Kavčí hory, 140 70, Praha 4
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 261 131 111
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.ceskatelevize.cz, ct24.cz

Czech Television - Telexport
Kavčí hory, 140 70, Praha 4
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 261 137 047
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.ceskatelevize.cz

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About the film

Color, HD CAM
World premiere

Section:	Czech Films 2012–2013

Director:	Robert Sedláček
Screenplay:	Pavel Kosatík, Robert Sedláček
Dir. of Photography:	Michal Krejčí
Music:	Michal Rataj
Editor:	Matouš Outrata
Production:	Česká televize / Czech Television
Cast:	Martin Finger, Ivan Trojan, Monika A. Fingerová, Richard Syms, Jiří Bábek
Contact:	Česká televize, Czech Television - Telexport