Havel director Slávek Horák speaks to We Love Budapest on the eve of the Czech Film Carnival

Havel is the first of five films being streamed by Toldi Távmozi for the Czech Film Carnival. From 8pm this Wednesday, 14 April, for 1,200 forints, you can view the latest Czech films, all English-friendly, in the comfort of your own home. For details, see here.

By way of a preview, we speak with Havel director Slávek Horák about his latest film, the former leader it depicts, and how he found his leading man.

We Love Budapest: Why did you choose Havel as a subject? 

Slávek Horák: After my first film, which was about my mother, I was looking for another inspiring character but this time with a broader political background, more rooted in the history of our nation. And thus I came to Havel, who is in my eyes the greatest and the most interesting Czech character. Very rooted in our culture and history yet very un-Czech in being a true hero rather than a Švejk-like trickster.


Yet he was still a lot of fun, which added another layer of interest for me. And he was a playwright, another layer that was very interesting. So I connected with Havel on several levels and I wanted to explore his transformation from artist to politician.

WLB: How heavy was the responsibility of making a film about such an important figure?

SH: I refused to be burdened by the responsibility at the very beginning, otherwise I would not even have started. Havel is a national treasure in my country but my attitude was to explore the man, the person, not the legend or the myth.


So I was actively going for all the little human flaws in him that he had to fight with – and this fight shaped him and made him what he was, or at least what I imagine he was.

WLB: How long did it take to cast the lead character?

SH: Oh it was months, maybe half a year. No popular Czech actor is not even remotely similar to Havel, neither in character nor in looks. And I wanted both, similar character and similar looks. It looked like an impossible task for some time but then I got lucky and discovered Viktor Dvořák, who is not very known in film but has a distinguished career in theatre.


But I didn't know him because I always prefer film over theatre. Luckily for me he just walked into the casting studio and I knew it was him, instantly – the shyness, politeness, the body language, all was scarily similar to Havel. He even has the same astrological sign!

WLB: Did you have the Czech or international market in mind when you were making the film?

SH: Yes, I knew from the beginning that I was making this film for the broader international market. For people who know nothing or very little about Havel. Which is also, quite sadly, the younger Czech generation under 30.


The downside of this approach is that for some Czech intellectuals, the film doesn't say anything new, nothing that they don’t already know. But I was not making this film for the fans and friends of Havel. I wanted to introduce Havel and his great story to people who didn’t know him.

WLB: Do you have any idea about your next project?

SH: I do but as usual I keep them secret until the script is finished:)

Havel by TVORBA Films
Czech Film Carnival
Wednesday, 14 April, 8pm 
Tickets (1,200 HUF) here.