The end of Czechoslovakia in Parliament
The film captures the tragi-comic atmosphere in the famous building between the National Museum and the State Theatre at the end of 1992 - in particular, the atmosphere of the lobby.
To decide to bring the State to an end, even if the end cannot be avoided, is not an easy one. Particularly when, at the beginning, all members proclaim their fundamental and opposing attitudes. The film shows the parliamentary community as it stands before an unusual task, it captures the uncertainty of fragile relations, attempts at negotiation, lack of communication, suspicion, tactics, the way the Members work and their theatrical performances. The camera follows them not only in the assembly hall but also out into the lobby after sessions. Despite the fact that the Deputies were willing to allow the film crew to watch them „on the sly“, the film also tries to go behind the scenes and the speeches in order to show, at least to a certain extent, how politics are made. Over the three months when the film-makers visited the Federal Assembly, the discussions about the termination of the common state transformed themselves into a drama full of apprehension and tension. With each new meeting, the film moves towards the funeral wake held in honour of the former Federation.
| Directed by: | Pavel Koutecký |
| Original idea: | Pavel Koutecký |
| DOP: | Stano Slušný |
| Running time: | 75 min |
| Year of production: | 1993 |
