Kawasakiho růže / Kawasaki´s Rose (Czech Republic, 2009)

directed by Jan Hřebejk, drama, 100 min, eng subtitles

with Martin Huba, Daniela Kolářová, Lenka Vlasáková, Ladislav Chudík

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A drama about family and politics, the role of memory in relationships, and that of jealousy, arrogance, love, loyalty and betrayal. Pavel, a distinguished psychiatrist is about to receive an award for his life's work and his role as a dissident; his handsome wife and adoring grown daughter are pleased the honour is coming his way. But Ludek, his son-in-law, employed on a documentary crew filming Pavel, resents that his own family, rooted in Czechoslovakia's Communist past, ended up on the wrong side of history while his wife's is now la crème de la crème. When Ludek discovers that Pavel may have corroborated with the secret police in order to silence a romantic rival, the plot thickens immeasurably. Kawasaki's Rose considers the ways in which the past never stops informing the present, especially in societies where secrets were the way of life, and professional or personal success could depend upon a single well-placed piece of information, be it true or false. The film recounts events that took place over thirty years earlier without using a single flashback. The family drama sheds light on the practices employed by the secret police to discredit its opponents. An emotional story of guilt and atonement, the pitfalls of memory and the need for forgiveness.

Awards:

Czech Lions 2010 (Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress)

Berlinale 2010 (Panorama, Ecumenical Jury Prize, C.I.C.A.E. Award)

Finále Plzeň 2010 (Best Film)

Czech nomination for Oscar 2011