Havel

It’s the summer of ’68 and the young Czech playwright Vaclav Havel is enjoying the heady atmosphere of new- found freedom as the iron grip of Soviet repression gradually loosens throughout Central Europe. In Havel’s Prague, politics are as exciting as theatre, sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Havel, though, is a comfortable and acclaimed playwright, and he’s determined to avoid conflict that might upset his world. He resists confrontation with the political authorities – led by the celebrated politician Alexander Dubcek – and he tries to carry out his romantic escapades without undermining his marriage to his beloved Olga. Havel’s fling with freedom comes to an abrupt and violent end when Soviet Russia invades Czechoslovakia. When Havel refuses to sign a regime-sponsored document approving of the Russian occupation, the government removes him from his theater and from his prestigious position at the pinnacle of Czech cultural life. The now-banned author retreats from the limelight to his cottage in the Czech countryside, where his suppressed creativity leads to the slow degeneration of both his spirit and his relationship with Olga. With the Soviets in firm control of the country, and with no other opportunities available to him, Havel accepts a job as a laborer in a brewery. This SYNOPSIS brush with life outside the cloistered world of the theater inspires him to begin writing and directing again, though at first only for an audience of his trusted allies. As his writing gradually revives him, Havel begins attracting a group of like minded artists. When he learns that the persecution of his friends is even harsher than his own, he begins to organize a diverse group of isolated critics of the regime into an underground resistance movement. Emboldened, Havel begins to write and speak more openly, and he even approaches Dubcek, who, disappointingly, refuses to meet him. Havel’s growing outspokenness eventually becomes too much for the Czech puppet government, and Havel is sent to prison. Havel doesn’t take well to prison life. He eventually capitulates into the regime’s pressure. In exchange for his release, he agrees to give up all political activity. Humiliated by his own cowardice, and despite his agreement with the regime, he recommits defiantly, and at great personal risk, to renewed political activity. Once again he’s imprisoned. Havel is now determined to resist a second submission at any cost, and in the harsh confines of the prison his health begins to fail. The authorities offer to release him if he’ll just give in, but he refuses. As Havel nears death, the authorities are forced to back down, and Havel emerges from prison a defiant hero in the eyes of the Czechs. And, more importantly, in his own eyes he’s redeemed himself. But his triumph is short-lived. His relentless unfaithfulness has proven too much for Olga, and she’s left him for another man. Though his home life has collapsed, Havel’s political awakening is now complete. Havel is prepared to lead, but one man stands in his way – his old nemesis Alexander Dubcek. Measured against Dubcek’s popularity, Havel is an outsider, a mere political novice. But Havel is determined to confront the old regime and bring fresh energy to Czech politics, and to do so he’s willing to give the world he loves – the theater. With his stature growing, Havel reconciles with Olga. He confronts his rival Dubcek and, through the sheer weight of Havel’s well-earned moral authority, Dubcek’s support crumbles. Havel becomes the new Czech leader, euphorically hailed by the masses as a true hero.