Waves (2024) Movie Script
1
Some characters in this film are inspired
by real people and share their names.
The Soviet Union keeps Eastern European
countries under its control.
Their governments
are subordinate to Moscow.
1,300,000 political prisoners.
5,800 executions.
Millions of ruined lives.
Any sign of freedom
is suppressed by force.
Media are subject to strict censorship.
The largest media organization
is the radio.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA,
OCTOBER 31, 1967
STRAHOV COLLEGE DORMITORY
They gotta be kidding! Again?
As if the heat not working wasn't enough!
It's Milan Weiner at the microphone.
We have experts, ...
Let's go outside!
...who regularly travel abroad...
We want light! We want light!
We want light! We want light!
Move it! Get in the vans!
Move it! Let's go!
WAVES
...mostly cloudy.
In Bohemia and Moravia,
expect local showers
and snow in the mountains.
Mrs. afkov, this is Tom Havlk.
I'm sorry to bother you.
My brother isn't home yet.
Is he at your place by any chance?
We want light! We want light!
We want light! We want light!
Stop! Stop!
- Quiet! Quiet!
- Stop!
Stand still!
Havlk, hello?
What?
Pavel?
Where've you been?
At Jaro's.
We were talking about something.
Why didn't you call me?
Cops brutally beat up
some students in Strahov.
How do you know?
I called the whole town because of you.
I'm sorry.
You're sorry!
Do you know who Milan Weiner is?
Yes, I do.
He's been doing really interesting
talks for students.
The day after tomorrow,
I'm auditioning for his radio show.
COME TO THE AUDITION!
Forget it!
Forget it, it's dangerous!
Weiner?
Yes.
HAVLK FAMILY
You could've gotten a beer for me too!
Why can't I have a sip?
I'd give you beer.
But not in front of our parents.
Dumbass!
- Hello, comrade!
- Hello.
- Hello.
- Hello.
We're about to go grocery shopping.
Sign here.
Be careful about this, Mr. Havlk!
He'd have enough to eat
if he stayed with us.
Pavel?
Damn it!
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO
- Hello.
- Hello.
Excuse me, where's the Weiner audition?
Are you here for the audition?
Here.
Okay, I apologize for the delay.
But we're sort of on alert today.
We're expecting an important message.
Please, print your name
and leave some contact information.
You may begin. Go ahead!
Dienstbier.
Yes but we're in the middle
of an audition. I can't just...
What if they call me here
while I'm gone?
Jesus! Ok, I'll be right there.
Excuse me.
Keep working, I'll be right back.
Hello?
Can I have that message, please?
You just won the audition!
May I offer you a job in our newsroom?
No, it's a misunderstanding,
I'm not looking for a job.
CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
- Good morning!
- Hey!
It's Milan Weiner at the microphone.
A few years ago,
world institutions agreed...
Hello. Comrade Havlk?
That's me.
Can you come with me?
Comrade director asks for you.
Director of what?
The Communications Authority -
comrade Hoffman.
- Hello.
- Honor to labor!
Comrade Tom Havlk.
Take a seat.
So, you've been offered a job
at the Radio?
Milan Weiner is the talk of the town now.
I only went to the Radio
because of my brother.
I don't speak any languages,
what would I do in that newsroom?
Weiner wants you as a technician.
Could you give us some privacy?
Of course.
Tom,
I think you should accept the job.
The things that Weiner
is doing at the radio
would be impossible just a year ago.
The Czechoslovak Radio
is under us, I can approve it.
If Weiner wants you...
I don't want it, comrade director,
I like it here.
But thank you.
Mr. Havlk, wait!
I'm you sure you feel
things are starting to change.
- I'm not interested in politics.
- Weiner is a chance. For all of us.
Think about it! I mean it.
Hello, Hoffman speaking.
Hello, comrade director.
When Weiner called and said he'd hire you,
I was happy.
Not only because I'm rooting
for him. Also...
Layoffs are coming.
It'll mostly concern younger employees
which probably means you.
I know that a few days of unemployment
could send your brother to an orphanage.
I don't mean to push you.
I want to help you.
Take the Weiner job.
I'll give you the best recommendation.
Good night.
So, sign here.
- Hello!
- Bye.
Again?
A surprise check.
About the Radio,
I didn't get the job with Weiner,
so don't worry.
What about you? Any news?
Nope.
Bienvenue Prague, my friends!
Turn it down, damn it!
We're bringing you
the hottest banned world hits!
Turn it down!
Rest assured
we'll be playing them here in Prague!
It's gonna be a hell of a ride!
Turn it off or I'll throw it out!
- Calm down, Lubo!
- What?
They're just messing with you.
You know them.
That's what ticks me off!
Just a second!
Friends,
may I have your attention, please?
We have a new team member:
Tom Havlk, technician.
Jarda Pavelka will teach him everything.
Milan, they edited everything out again.
It's pointless to broadcast it like this.
- I hope he'll like it here.
- He's gonna love it!
Now excuse me.
Jarunka?
Can you come with us, please?
- I'm Honza Petrnek. Welcome!
- Havlk, pleased to meet you.
- imra. Welcome!
- Havlk. Tom.
- Jirka, we've already met.
- Tom Havlk.
- Karel Jezdinsk. Pleased to meet you.
- Havlk.
- A Ludvk ermk.
- Havlk.
I'm happy to welcome back Vra ovkov
who is returning after 5 years
as our correspondent in Africa.
And Ludvk ermk who is back from Paris.
A lot of homecomings.
A month ago,
Dienstbier returned from New York.
Now there's two more.
Didn't they do well abroad?
I'm glad they're back.
Right.
I understand you refused to broadcast
a mandatory news item
from the Czechoslovak Press Office?
I wanted to verify it.
Excuse me?
It said that students went
on a vandalism rampage in Strahov.
And attacked police officers.
I sent someone there.
They found no signs of vandalism.
Only blood stains.
And chunks of ripped out long hair.
Weiner, mandatory news
items are mandatory!
I didn't want the radio to look stupid.
At a talk for students in Bratislava,
you reportedly said:
"If you rely on a single source,
you are not a journalist.
Whether you read the papers,
listen to the radio or watch TV,
you get the same censored information.
At International Life,
we speak a total of 11 languages
but we're only allowed to use
the Czech and Soviet press office.
And even the news items we get from them
must go through news approval,
i.e. censorship,
before we can broadcast them."
Isn't it true?
You represent Czechoslovak Radio
wherever you are.
Do you know what's in those bags?
Letters from students who dislike
your promoting Western press agencies.
We aren't going to use any such agencies.
And the news item you failed to broadcast
will be broadcast by the economics team.
Today!
Can I have those?
Go ahead.
After the youths
many of whom were armed
started destroying street lights
and parked cars,
the police officers had no choice
but to take appropriate action
to restore peace and safety
for residents of Prague
and by extension,
all residents of Czechoslovakia.
All newspapers put it this way.
No student is going to listen
to the Radio after this.
...of our country,
You, Mr. Weiner, are one of them.
- Jesus!
- Sure.
- How much have you read so far?
- About a half of it.
What are they saying?
They're bothered by Moscow being smeared.
And you wanting to source news
for non-socialist countries.
They say that they trust our sources.
Some are pretty blunt.
I'd like to see them
being this brave face to face.
But I was talking
about verifying information!
What's their problem with that?
Tom, would you have a minute?
Sure.
Vra, you and Tom are going to see
the authors of these letters.
Interview them on this subject.
Take a company car and get going.
Today!
- Hello?
- Hey, this is Tom.
Hey!
I have an unplanned night shift.
Okay.
There's some eggs
and bread in the food closet.
Okay.
- Are you studying for your history class?
- Yeah, sure.
Good night!
Good night!
This soup's gone
a little sour, don't you think?
Don't know. I don't cook.
At least not Czech cuisine.
But you eat it.
Like now.
Right, the soup isn't very good.
Do you cook?
I do.
Let's get going early in the morning.
At 7 am.
- As you say.
- Night!
Good night!
You gotta be kidding me!
Of course! You're on a business trip,
so you get drunk!
And a single woman definitely wants some...
The gentlemen at the bar
sent you this bottle.
Good night.
COMENIUS UNIVERSITY, BRATISLAVA
I apologize.
For yesterday.
It's okay. It was a misunderstanding.
There must be a mistake.
- Are you Jozef Bokro?
- Yes.
Were you at Milan Weiner's talk
at this school?
Yes but I didn't write this letter.
Did he run it by the censors?
Nope.
ON AIR
Good afternoon, this is Milan Weiner
greeting you on Czechoslovak Radio.
When talking to students,
I said several times
that using only the Czechoslovak
and Soviet press agencies wasn't enough.
Then we received several letters
from upset students who disagreed with me.
But since verifying information
is a part of journalism,
we went to Bratislava,
to the university where most
of these letters had come from.
Those letters were fake.
ON AIR
Someone wrote almost 300 of them
and sent them to us.
Because that someone is rooting for lies.
At International Life, we believe
that our listeners of any age
aren't interested in lies.
Write us or call us right now.
Call us if you want at least the Radio
to speak the truth.
We stand with you.
International Life newsroom.
- Dienstbier, International Life.
- Thank you!
Czechoslovak Radio!
Hello?
International Life!
Call Weiner. Now!
- I'll write down you name. Bye.
- Yes.
Thank you very much!
We appreciate it! Bye!
All their lines are busy.
Come in!
Comrade Havlk is here.
- Leave us.
- Okay.
Tom, we're in trouble!
What happened?
They're doing background checks
on everyone in your newsroom.
They wanted to know
why I recommended you to work with Weiner.
They asked about you and your brother.
But they were reasonable,
they let me talk to you first.
I vouched for you.
They're primarily after the journalists but
you have to sign
that you'll cooperate with them.
- Tom! Don't leave me hanging!
- I'm not snitching on anyone!
You don't have to!
Sign it and they'll leave you alone.
- It may be even better that way!
- What?
Then they'll leave you alone!
You just have to sign
that you'll cooperate.
Or you lose your job
and your brother ends up in an orphanage.
And who knows what they'll want from me!
Their system is falling apart
and they're kicking around in agony.
We just have to stick it out.
Tom!
I heard someone was taking pictures
of my daughter in kindergarten.
Don't leave me hanging now!
Please!
- Hello!
- Hello!
Can we see Mr. Weiner?
We know he's still here.
Fifth floor.
You stay here and keep watch. Let's go!
Every year, millions of tourists stream
across the borders of European countries.
Supposedly, this great migration
spells great hope for Europe.
I'm not just standing here like a dupe!
We even managed to take a few pictures.
We can't broadcast this.
Trust me, now it would be bad tactics.
It could be useful later.
We're fighting for free speech.
Just like you.
Just be careful.
We'd better take the back exit today.
Okay. I need to finish writing something.
We'll lock the door later.
What do you want?
Your IDs!
The handbag!
What do you want?
What?
Where's the tape?
What tape?
Hey!
What do you mean, hey?
As the president, I can no longer tolerate
the creeping influence of pro-Western
imperialist elements in Czechoslovakia.
Subversive, harmful and hostile elements.
Even at such institutions
as Czechoslovak Radio.
Even the president
is talking about the Radio!
These are letters from listeners
who support us.
Real letters.
We can't even answer them all.
No one's gonna ask you about that!
The secret police stormed the building
and you keep pretending...
They found nothing.
They damaged our equipment.
How dare they?
Do you know what they want?
Listen, Weiner: if you have anything
they want, get rid of it now!
I don't want people to get arrested here.
Will you be responsible for your editors?
You're a Communist.
So show it, damn it!
Or they'll get you for this in no time.
Hello.
Milan, would you have a second?
Alexander Dubek.
A young Slovak Communist.
For the first time,
he openly spoke about free speech.
Well...
Let's give his some praise, then.
This Dubek.
Move it! Everything to the loading ramp!
FREE SPEECH
FREE SPEECH DUBEK
FREE SPEECH DUBEK
Stop! Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Fucking school boys!
We have a reason to be optimistic.
Soon we'll be able to bring you
reliable information. We stand with you.
DECEMBER 1967
I think I got lucky.
No male editor
wanted to go to Africa back then.
I was the only candidate.
Well, try to make an African dish.
Everyone would love that.
I'm not that brave.
Plus unlike you, I don't enjoy cooking.
I cook because I have to.
I got my little brother in my care.
- Comrade Havlk!
- Good evening!
Good evening.
I don't know anything about any tape.
Why didn't you tell us
what your brother was involved in?
We know that someone from your newsroom
has the tape. Do you know who?
What's going on with my brother?
We know someone from your newsroom
has the tape.
Do they want to broadcast it?
- Pavel isn't involved in anything!
- Where is the tape?
I don't know.
If you don't tell us right now,
we'll beat your brother to a pulp.
Or he won't return at all.
Do you fucking understand?
I don't know who has it now.
It passes between the editors
at random intervals.
Okay.
So, what do you suggest, comrade?
NEW YEAR'S EVE 1967
What is it?
Suya. A Nigerian dish.
Did you make this?
He rejected my Palestine report again.
I wanted to smack him with it!
Did she just let you draw her like this?
I want to go to India too!
Always the same.
They're just provoking us!
Have some!
The ice queen's cooking!
Thank you.
Like this?
...and top it with the cheese.
We don't have palm oil anyway,
so yes, like this.
Tom?
Come, it's almost midnight!
Seven!
Six!
Five!
Four!
Three!
Two!
One!
Happy New Year!
May you always be our funny man, Lubo!
Secret police!
Good evening!
What is this, gentlemen?
There's one hiding here!
Come check him out!
Whose bag is it?
Whose bag is it?
Mine.
Karel!
Happy New Year 1968!
- What?
- I think you overslept!
What?
What time is it?
It's 9!
My shifts changed.
You got a girlfriend!
How come you're not at school?
I'm sick.
Could you sign the excuse note for me?
Where is it?
In my bag.
I didn't sign this note.
You faked my signature!
I know. You weren't home
and I needed that note signed.
You can't write your own excuse notes!
- What was I supposed to do?
- Leave it on the table!
- Where were you?
- Home.
- Sick again?
- Yes, I was sick again.
Are you going through my stuff?
Damn it, are you going through my stuff?
If you're up to anything sketchy,
you're out of this house.
Go to jail or the juvie, I don't care!
I will! Because if nothing
changes in this household,
I have no reason to stay here.
Or in this country!
I turned 17 yesterday,
just for your information.
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry to hear that, Tom.
I'm sorry about what happened.
But you have nothing to be afraid of.
How come?
Prudence isn't knowing
how things will turn out.
Prudence is being ready
for any outcome.
Which you are.
Results of the audition
for international correspondents:
at the end of the year,
Comrade imr is going to Warsaw.
And in September, our dear comrade
Vra ovkov will start in Tokyo.
Thank you, the meeting is over.
Weiner!
Can I have a quick word with you?
Jezdinsk took all the blame
for that tape.
But they want more, they're after you.
I got a call about you from Moscow.
They wanted information.
Be careful!
We want to get rid of old disused studios.
I want your proposals
what obsolete equipment
and which studios to get rid of
before the end of this year.
It may also concern
the emergency army switch room.
The charts for that one
are in this cabinet.
Only the director of the Communications
Authority has the key.
Yes, go ahead.
Your name?
Mr. Weiner, there's an angry listener
downstairs who wants to speak to you.
He says that you should know
not everyone supports you.
And that he's a real, normal person
and a Communist.
- And?
- He said you were an imperialist agent
and wanted to speak on the Radio
which I told him wasn't possible.
Milan, you know you won't
get away with this.
Let's hear the other side
if they want to talk.
He's an old man.
I'm speaking to a regional
Communist functionary,
a retired worker who is dissatisfied
with International Life broadcasts.
Comrade Zruba,
welcome to Czechoslovak Radio.
Hello.
You said you objected
to me mentioning the possibility
that our elections
may have been fraudulent.
And that I oppose Moscow
and the Soviet Union.
Tell me, comrade Zruba, do you really
believe that in the past 20 years,
99.9% of people always agreed
with the government
as per the election results?
Comrade Weiner,
there is no simple answer to that.
I'm not asking
whether you know that for a fact.
I'd like to know if you believe
this number is based in reality.
Well, I don't think it's quite accurate.
So where does the difference
between the official 99%
and the real figure come from?
I think that most people are happy
with the way things are.
Perhaps fewer people agreed but they
didn't express it in the elections.
But why? Was everyone able to express
their agreement or disagreement
in the elections?
I can't really say.
Comrade Zruba,
you are no stranger to politics.
Was the ballot secret?
Was everyone able to express...
I admit that in a certain period
they forced people
to stay out of the ballot box.
I heard it happened in some places.
Could it be considered election fraud?
When the ballot isn't secret?
- You are trying to manipulate me.
- No, I'm asking you.
Does it amount to election fraud?
Yes or no, answer the question.
ON AIR
Damn!
What's wrong?
Jarunka, tell him what's wrong.
The director wants to see you upstairs.
Take a seat, please.
The January convention
elected Alexander Dubek
General Secretary
of the Communist Party.
Starting now, media are allowed
to use international news sources.
Such as AFP or Reuters.
Good evening!
Good evening!
It's in the news all over the world,
in France, in the USA:
"Czechoslovakia finds
its perfect balance."
Oh my love!
Oh my love!
I used to have everything sorted out.
But now I have no idea.
Give me a clear direction
and I can move the universe.
What?
It's a quote from a play.
But I have no clear direction
in my life now.
I just want to do something
that I find meaningful.
Was being a foreign
correspondent meaningful?
It was.
So you'll go to Tokyo
and find meaning in life again.
How can you tell
if something is meaningful to you?
That it's the easiest thing
in the world to do.
It can be dangerous.
You just know.
I want it to be meaningful to him.
To Pavel?
The Red Star newspaper.
How they asked me to comment
on the events in Czechoslovakia?
Yes?
I wrote that there was a thaw,
a liberalization,
that Dubek could abolish censorship.
I wrote we were Communists
who wanted socialism but a human one
and that people were happy
about all these changes.
Why are you showing it to me?
They wrote the exact opposite.
And published it under my name.
A colleague at Reuters
told me they were lying about us.
All Russian newspapers are lying
about what's happening here!
I don't know what to do about it.
I'll go talk to Hrabsk.
We need someone we can rely on in Moscow
to give us first-hand information.
What about you?
Will you go to Moscow, Lubo?
Thank you.
CZECHOSLOVAK EMBASSY IN MOSCOW
Comrade Dobrovsk!
Yes?
Khornikov, press secretary.
I want to give you a friendly heads-up.
If you need help with a report, call me.
What about my article in the Red Star?
When will you publish a correction?
We don't publish corrections.
MARCH 1968
We'd like to know how Germans see it.
Yes, I'm back. I'm here.
International Life
at Czechoslovak Radio, hello!
Yes, I'm listening.
Is your source reliable?
There are multiple sources, okay.
Hold the line, please.
Okay.
Thank you.
Yes.
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO OFFICES
IN KARLN, PRAGUE
Why didn't Mr. Weiner
want to tell me what was going on?
He wanted only me, Petrnek
and himself to know.
PRAGUE CASTLE,
RESIDENCE OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK PRESIDENI got something for you.
So that you don't starve in Tokyo.
Comrade president, citizens are asking
what's happening at our universities.
And what does it mean?
We have information, I regret to say,
that illegal student clubs are nurturing
subversive or even fascist ideas.
We won't tolerate it any longer.
Tom, is everything ready?
Let me be absolutely clear:
we must finally crack down
on anyone who is against us!
Comrade president!
Jan Petrnek, Czechoslovak Radio.
What is your reaction
to the information about your son
and the alleged exorbitant sum of money
in his Swiss bank account?
Allegedly, that money was siphoned
out of governments funds.
Could you comment on it?
Novotn speaking.
Hello, Mr. Novotn,
this is Bank of Lausanne.
Czechoslovak journalists
called our offices
and requested
information about your bank account.
- Really?
- Yes.
Listen, don't give them any information.
Of course.
We only wanted to inform you.
I see. Thank you.
Would you answer a few questions
about your customer experience?
No, I'm sorry, I'm busy.
If they call again,
find out their names and where they work.
Mr. Novotn, this is Czechoslovak Radio,
International Life.
- How did it go?
- Go!
May I help you, comrades?
They mustn't take it away from us again!
They won't. We'll give it to them.
Czechoslovak Radio.
- So you didn't know what they were up to?
- No!
Stop the bullshit!
We want something we can use
against Vra ovkov. Anything!
- Proof that she's a Western spy!
- I don't know anything like that!
What do you think happens
to young guys in jail?
You think murderers and perverts
make them happy?
It's you choice:
your brother or ovkov!
We have proof that you
are cooperating with Western intelligence.
I do nothing of that kind!
What do you do with this?
How should I put it?
I cook the recipes in it.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
What're you doing?
What were you thinking?
What the fuck were you thinking?
I don't want to be a wimp like you!
I want to do something about it!
You're a hero,
because you only care about yourself!
You were still little
when Mom and Dad had that crash.
You have no idea
what it's like to lose someone!
- Why do you think I'm doing this?
- I don't give a damn!
I don't wanna live like this!
If Mom and Dad only saw you!
I at least distribute leaflets.
What do you do?
I work for Weiner.
What?
It's happening!
It's happening! It's happening!
Turn on the radio!
The president resigned!
The newly elected president
of Czechoslovakia is Ludvk Svoboda.
His name bodes well for the country
as svoboda is Czech for freedom.
Censorship is no more. Hooray!
Petr!
Tom!
Thank you!
Lubo!
"Socialism with a human face."
It ends with:
- Turn it down!
- Sure.
"It proves that in any historical
situation, light can be found
though it may be carried by very few."
I'm glad that Lubo
has come to see us from Moscow.
Great job, my friends!
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
This isn't how Moscow media see it.
They don't call it "socialism
with a human face" but "fascism".
They often sabotage our office,
disconnect our phones.
Most of my international
colleagues believe
Moscow will take
military action against us.
Don't be so glum!
Those few months in Moscow
made you paranoid!
I've heard they're already getting
the army ready to invade Czechoslovakia.
I hate to ruin this beautiful moment,
I'm happy about all our successes
and I don't want to make
any false accusations
but I think there's a spy among us.
When they found the tape on Karel
on New Year's Eve,
they knew what they were doing.
It was the only time
they could be sure to find it.
Someone told them
it was passing between us
and that we would all be there.
It was the right place and time.
And when they barged
into Vra's apartment,
how did they know where to find
things written in French? Again,
someone must've told them.
- Who else would've known?
- Let's not go there, Lubo!
Obviously, they are trying to infiltrate us
but be careful with any accusations.
That's exactly what they want.
Let's be careful.
To our new president!
To freedom of speech!
To Svoboda!
Tom! Did you check out
the external studios?
I did.
I'd like to take a look at it too
if you're done with it.
Sure.
Why is he interested in external studios?
Don't know. He just is.
Since when
have you been working for them?
Since December.
What did you tell them?
Just the thing with the tape.
Just the thing with the tape.
I'm trying to defend us as much as I can.
If I didn't, we'd all be busted already.
I won't tell anyone.
Bul can't just ignore it.
- Milan! Wine?
- Thank you.
- Want some?
- Sure!
- He never told us he had a brother!
- He was probably ashamed of me!
Do you have wine or should I get more?
We do and you should!
Well, it's...
- We're happy.
- It helps the team.
You fell asleep with the kids, didn't you?
- Turn the music down?
- No, it's fine.
Milan!
A brain tumor.
We don't know what stage
and nobody knows
how it's going to progress.
Thank you.
Believe me, dear listeners,
the fact that I can be here in the studio
and talk to you off the top of my head
so to speak
instead of reading a preapproved text
is something I consider
a true victory of our nation.
In the recent months
of newly gained freedom,
please, think of our editor-in-chief,
Milan Weiner, who is battling
a severe disease.
In this new
democratic socialism,
try to finally find the time to think
about who or what really matters
in your life.
Good night.
Happy birthday!
AUGUST 20
Havlk speaking.
Good evening.
Welcome, Mr. Havlk. Come in!
I'm sorry to bring you here
this late at night
but it's a bit of an emergency.
Take a seat.
You are one of the first people
in this country to find out.
Anytime now, the Soviet
and other Warsaw Pact armies
will cross our borders.
They are heading to Prague,
their planes are already landing.
You need to go to the Radio
and facilitate the broadcast
of this news item.
It says that these armies represent
international aid
against fascists in Czechoslovakia.
And that these armies have been invited
by the leaders of our country.
But that...
It isn't true!
You need to do it as soon as possible.
This is the worst moment to take risks.
At this point, it's easy to pick your side.
You needed to insert someone with Weiner.
To be safe
no matter how things turned out.
Tom,
you need to see it
in the broadest possible context.
Armies of five countries
are coming to Czechoslovakia.
Including the Soviet one.
I don't think your parents
would like you to play hero.
They wouldn't like to see you
fail to take care of Pavel either.
Him being unable to go to college,
to live in dignity.
All because of you.
Am I right?
I don't know.
I don't know
what my parents would've liked.
But I don't want the person I'm raising
to be ashamed of me.
I don't know what broader context
I should see it in.
If the Radio says anything else than this,
I'll have the transmitters shut down.
- What're you doing?
- Pack your stuff, the Russians are here!
- What?
- They're invading us. Pack up your stuff!
Wait! Are we running away?
You gotta leave, I'm staying.
Are you crazy?
I'm not going anywhere without you!
Pavel!
Please, pack your things and leave now!
I gotta go to the Radio.
Pavel, dear,
there's some money hidden
between the mats in the bathroom.
Take it and get out of the country
while you can.
Promise me!
Promise me!
Hello?
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO
I'm serious,
they're landing in Prague now.
Gentlemen! I've been looking for you.
We need to connect
the army switch room.
These are all the security keys,
charts and manuals.
We can keep broadcasting
either from our switch room
or the army wartime switch room.
It'll broadcast from all our offices
in Prague and other cities.
We'll all share a single wire connection.
We'll have to pass it to each other
like in a relay.
What's going on?
KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA DAILY
MOSCOW
INTERNATIONAL AID FOR CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Dobrovsk, hello?
Sooner or later,
we may get busted for this.
Not just the people who will speak on air.
It's okay if you decide to leave now.
But you have to decide now.
We need to lock the building
as soon as possible.
It's only a matter of time
before the troops find the Radio.
But we'll keep broadcasting
as long as possible.
As long as our legitimate government
is in power.
Dear listeners, keep your radios on.
Wake up your loved ones
and your neighbors.
We are about to make an announcement
of exceptional importance.
Good evening. Good evening.
God bless you!
Karel Jezdinsk, Czechoslovak Radio.
We need comrade Dubek's statement
while we can still run it.
We don't know how much time we have left.
Have you lost your mind?
Tanks are coming and you want
to tell people to relax and go to work?
What do you expect to happen
when an angry mob clashes with this army?
Government statement.
Yes?
I'm off.
ON AIR
Dear listeners!
Yesterday, that is on August 20,
at around 11 pm,
the armies of the Soviet Union,
Poland,
East Germany,
Hungary,
and Bulgaria
crossed the borders of Czechoslovakia.
It happened without the knowledge
of our president
or the First Secretary
of the Communist Party Alexander Dubek.
The Party's Central Committee considers
this an act of aggression
in violation of the basic tenets
of international law.
At the same time...
...to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.
Karel, we're off the air, there's just static.
Excellent. Thank you. Honor to labor!
Call Dubek!
Hoffman had the transmitter shut down.
Call Dubek, damn it!
I'll patch him through.
LIBLICE RADIO TRANSMITTER TOWER
Liblice transmitter, Jonek speaking.
This is Czechoslovak Radio.
General Secretary Alexander Dubek
wants to speak with you.
What?
Of course!
Bastards!
We stand with you! We stand with you!
We don't know how much longer
we'll stay on air
but we'll keep broadcasting
as long as we can.
USSR
DAILY NEWS
MOSCOW
Fascists in Czechoslovakia!
We are aiding Prague!
It's an invasion, you idiots!
What do you know about it? You fascist!
Unfortunately, we have sad news.
Soviet invaders are shooting at civilians.
People have been killed in Prague
and the injured number in the hundreds.
The troops mistook
the National Museum for the Radio
and kept firing at it incessantly
for several minutes.
But it seems they are
already on their way here
to stop free radio broadcast.
- We've been disconnected.
- What?
They shut down our connection to Prague.
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
We're still in the studio and...
Dear listeners, we're still in the studio
but tanks are already
in front of the building
which is being protected
by a brave unarmed crowd.
Again, we unequivocally declare
our support for our legitimate government
which doesn't approve of this invasion.
Stand aside!
Stand aside! It's pointless!
Embassy of East Germany
Embassy of the Soviet Union
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
Zdenk...last name?
Zdenk imr.
Hands up! Move it!
They're inside the building.
The troops are inside the building.
They're inside the building.
Vra, they're inside the building
and they're coming here.
Dear listeners, the troops
are already inside the Radio building
and soon, they'll reach the upper floors.
Soon, we'll play the state anthem
which will probably mark
the end of free radio broadcast.
Hands up!
Get out! Move it!
Get out of the building! Move it!
Go! Go!
Out of the building!
They're here!
We stand with you, stand with us!
Let us pray!
- Mr. Petrnek!
- I'm sorry!
The room!
Petrnek, ovkov, Dienstbier,
Jezdinsk, ermk. Where are they?
Hello!
SCOUT CHILDREN'S CLUB
- Did you see what happened?
- Yes.
- Can I ask you a few questions?
- Sure.
We're on ern street in Prague.
ITALIAN EMBASSY IN PRAGUE
- Hello!
- Welcome!
Here you go: the BBC.
Will it work?
That depends on Tom.
What are you doing here? Drop it!
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair,
let me bring hope.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
Where there is darkness,
let me bring light.
He says someone has to man the switch room
to facilitate regular city operation.
It would only cause more chaos!
You don't want that, do you?
I am a Secret Police agent,
we're with you! You can check!
He says he's a Secret Police agent.
Check if he's telling the truth!
(names of the legitimate leaders
of Czechoslovakia)
Simona!
The printing press is running!
Trust in the legitimate...
Don't aid the invaders.
INVADERS, GO BACK HOME!
No news yet.
We're waiting for him to connect to us.
Maybe they already got him.
There must be troops everywhere by now.
He's telling the truth.
If he escapes, you're dead.
The bakery in Charles Square
can start baking.
Bread delivery has resumed.
Flour is rationed out.
Charles Square starts baking first,
Karln 15 minutes later,
other bakeries will follow.
We're patched through.
We're patched through,
all on a single wire.
We'll take turns every 15 minutes
until the army switch room comes online.
Call others in all regions!
This is Czechoslovak Radio staff.
We're back on air!
We support our legitimate government
and condemn the invasion
of the Warsaw Pact armies.
We stand with you, stand with us!
Comrade director!
The troops control the Radio building.
Impossible! Get the car!
MILITARY WARTIME SWITCH ROOM
We have information about the first
citizens fleeing Czechoslovakia.
They are requesting asylum in Austria.
Yes, they are requesting
asylum in Austria.
People are burning Soviet books
and trying to fight
against the overwhelming military power
in smart ways to avoid bloodshed.
To the Radio. Quick!
Damn it!
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
WE TRUST YOU!
In the streets, people are calling
for our leaders.
But several sources have confirmed
our leaders have been captured
by the invaders
and abducted to an unknown location.
The 18-year-old student
who blocked the troops' path
in front of the Party
Central Committee building
was shot in the head
and many others were wounded.
The army switch room is online.
You can disconnect the main building
and get out of there.
Right, thank you.
What?
Who are you?
Don't move!
...and the pine tree reaches the star.
Because I am not a wolf by blood
- and only my...
- What's going on here?
Go home, boy!
Go home!
Don't move!
Fucking traitors!
Don't move!
Damn it!
How come they're still on air?
They're broadcasting through
an army switch room for wartime use.
So why aren't we there already?
Because I don't fucking know where it is!
Dear listeners, more studios are
joining our relay broadcast.
We'll get the news from
Pilsen and esk Budjovice
but first, let's hear from playwright
Vclav Havel and Jan Tska in Liberec.
Thank you gentlemen.
What's the situation over there?
- To Podol, right?
- Yeah.
Stop!
Don't stop! Don't stop!
Stop!
Stop that car! Stop that car!
Yes...
Definitely.
We've just been informed that in Podol,
the Soviets shot a car into pieces.
The people inside were students
distributing leaflets.
According to this yet unverified
information, none of them survived.
(names of the legitimate leaders
of Czechoslovakia)
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO
The Na Frantiku Hospital
seeks volunteers amid a power outage
which has also struck other essential
services as well as households.
As of yet, there is no news
from our leaders in Moscow.
We will persevere
as long as the leaders
of our country persevere.
Shame on you, Moscow!
Shame on you, Budapest!
Shame on all of you
who have brought violence and evil
to the finally free Czechoslovakia!
What?
Dear listeners! Our leaders are returning
from negotiations in Moscow.
They are asking Radio employees
to connect the Central Committee studio
and let Alexander Dubek
speak to the nation.
We stand with you, stand with us.
Czechoslovak leaders are returning
after six days of negotiations in Moscow.
People can't wait
to hear their message to the nation.
We are certainly very hopeful,
hoping to hear good news
regarding our future.
The others just arrived at the Castle.
Dubek's speech is supposed
to start in 15 minutes.
Okay.
Yes. Thank you.
Do you hear me?
Yeah.
Connecting in three, two, one...
Dear fellow citizens and comrades.
Today we all understand
that from now on, things won't be simple.
Things will be complicated.
But no matter what turns life takes...
...our nation belongs
to the community of socialist nations
That's a surrender!
And socialist countries.
CZECHOSLOVAK BORDER
WARNING! STATE BORDER!
Tom, I'm not sure
if I can handle living here.
Let's leave together!
Pavel left the country.
Let's leave too!
We can't all just leave!
Or nothing will ever change here.
Some are more useful abroad,
some here.
I got you something.
To remember me.
Good luck!
International Life newsroom.
- Can you take it downstairs for approval?
- Yep.
And make me a coffee. Thank you!
Hey Tom! I'm writing from Austria...
It's the last one
they allowed to be delivered.
Can I write back to him?
But we want to give you one more chance.
- What is it?
- A letter to your peers.
An apology for your activities
during the arrival of the friendly armies
and a condemnation of your colleagues
who collaborated on the illegal broadcast.
If you sign, everything will be forgotten
and you can stay at the Radio.
Business as usual.
Tom.
Goodbye.
Hey!
I heard you got asylum in Austria.
I did.
But I came back.
Why?
WAVES
AZ Translations
Journalists who didn't yield to the regime
and decided to stay in Czechoslovakia
were persecuted and forced to accept jobs
that were inadequate
to their qualifications.
Along with their families, they faced
psychological and physical assaults
until the 1989 revolution.
They persevered.
Dedicated to all courageous journalists.
We stand with you.
Some characters in this film are inspired
by real people and share their names.
The Soviet Union keeps Eastern European
countries under its control.
Their governments
are subordinate to Moscow.
1,300,000 political prisoners.
5,800 executions.
Millions of ruined lives.
Any sign of freedom
is suppressed by force.
Media are subject to strict censorship.
The largest media organization
is the radio.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA,
OCTOBER 31, 1967
STRAHOV COLLEGE DORMITORY
They gotta be kidding! Again?
As if the heat not working wasn't enough!
It's Milan Weiner at the microphone.
We have experts, ...
Let's go outside!
...who regularly travel abroad...
We want light! We want light!
We want light! We want light!
Move it! Get in the vans!
Move it! Let's go!
WAVES
...mostly cloudy.
In Bohemia and Moravia,
expect local showers
and snow in the mountains.
Mrs. afkov, this is Tom Havlk.
I'm sorry to bother you.
My brother isn't home yet.
Is he at your place by any chance?
We want light! We want light!
We want light! We want light!
Stop! Stop!
- Quiet! Quiet!
- Stop!
Stand still!
Havlk, hello?
What?
Pavel?
Where've you been?
At Jaro's.
We were talking about something.
Why didn't you call me?
Cops brutally beat up
some students in Strahov.
How do you know?
I called the whole town because of you.
I'm sorry.
You're sorry!
Do you know who Milan Weiner is?
Yes, I do.
He's been doing really interesting
talks for students.
The day after tomorrow,
I'm auditioning for his radio show.
COME TO THE AUDITION!
Forget it!
Forget it, it's dangerous!
Weiner?
Yes.
HAVLK FAMILY
You could've gotten a beer for me too!
Why can't I have a sip?
I'd give you beer.
But not in front of our parents.
Dumbass!
- Hello, comrade!
- Hello.
- Hello.
- Hello.
We're about to go grocery shopping.
Sign here.
Be careful about this, Mr. Havlk!
He'd have enough to eat
if he stayed with us.
Pavel?
Damn it!
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO
- Hello.
- Hello.
Excuse me, where's the Weiner audition?
Are you here for the audition?
Here.
Okay, I apologize for the delay.
But we're sort of on alert today.
We're expecting an important message.
Please, print your name
and leave some contact information.
You may begin. Go ahead!
Dienstbier.
Yes but we're in the middle
of an audition. I can't just...
What if they call me here
while I'm gone?
Jesus! Ok, I'll be right there.
Excuse me.
Keep working, I'll be right back.
Hello?
Can I have that message, please?
You just won the audition!
May I offer you a job in our newsroom?
No, it's a misunderstanding,
I'm not looking for a job.
CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY
- Good morning!
- Hey!
It's Milan Weiner at the microphone.
A few years ago,
world institutions agreed...
Hello. Comrade Havlk?
That's me.
Can you come with me?
Comrade director asks for you.
Director of what?
The Communications Authority -
comrade Hoffman.
- Hello.
- Honor to labor!
Comrade Tom Havlk.
Take a seat.
So, you've been offered a job
at the Radio?
Milan Weiner is the talk of the town now.
I only went to the Radio
because of my brother.
I don't speak any languages,
what would I do in that newsroom?
Weiner wants you as a technician.
Could you give us some privacy?
Of course.
Tom,
I think you should accept the job.
The things that Weiner
is doing at the radio
would be impossible just a year ago.
The Czechoslovak Radio
is under us, I can approve it.
If Weiner wants you...
I don't want it, comrade director,
I like it here.
But thank you.
Mr. Havlk, wait!
I'm you sure you feel
things are starting to change.
- I'm not interested in politics.
- Weiner is a chance. For all of us.
Think about it! I mean it.
Hello, Hoffman speaking.
Hello, comrade director.
When Weiner called and said he'd hire you,
I was happy.
Not only because I'm rooting
for him. Also...
Layoffs are coming.
It'll mostly concern younger employees
which probably means you.
I know that a few days of unemployment
could send your brother to an orphanage.
I don't mean to push you.
I want to help you.
Take the Weiner job.
I'll give you the best recommendation.
Good night.
So, sign here.
- Hello!
- Bye.
Again?
A surprise check.
About the Radio,
I didn't get the job with Weiner,
so don't worry.
What about you? Any news?
Nope.
Bienvenue Prague, my friends!
Turn it down, damn it!
We're bringing you
the hottest banned world hits!
Turn it down!
Rest assured
we'll be playing them here in Prague!
It's gonna be a hell of a ride!
Turn it off or I'll throw it out!
- Calm down, Lubo!
- What?
They're just messing with you.
You know them.
That's what ticks me off!
Just a second!
Friends,
may I have your attention, please?
We have a new team member:
Tom Havlk, technician.
Jarda Pavelka will teach him everything.
Milan, they edited everything out again.
It's pointless to broadcast it like this.
- I hope he'll like it here.
- He's gonna love it!
Now excuse me.
Jarunka?
Can you come with us, please?
- I'm Honza Petrnek. Welcome!
- Havlk, pleased to meet you.
- imra. Welcome!
- Havlk. Tom.
- Jirka, we've already met.
- Tom Havlk.
- Karel Jezdinsk. Pleased to meet you.
- Havlk.
- A Ludvk ermk.
- Havlk.
I'm happy to welcome back Vra ovkov
who is returning after 5 years
as our correspondent in Africa.
And Ludvk ermk who is back from Paris.
A lot of homecomings.
A month ago,
Dienstbier returned from New York.
Now there's two more.
Didn't they do well abroad?
I'm glad they're back.
Right.
I understand you refused to broadcast
a mandatory news item
from the Czechoslovak Press Office?
I wanted to verify it.
Excuse me?
It said that students went
on a vandalism rampage in Strahov.
And attacked police officers.
I sent someone there.
They found no signs of vandalism.
Only blood stains.
And chunks of ripped out long hair.
Weiner, mandatory news
items are mandatory!
I didn't want the radio to look stupid.
At a talk for students in Bratislava,
you reportedly said:
"If you rely on a single source,
you are not a journalist.
Whether you read the papers,
listen to the radio or watch TV,
you get the same censored information.
At International Life,
we speak a total of 11 languages
but we're only allowed to use
the Czech and Soviet press office.
And even the news items we get from them
must go through news approval,
i.e. censorship,
before we can broadcast them."
Isn't it true?
You represent Czechoslovak Radio
wherever you are.
Do you know what's in those bags?
Letters from students who dislike
your promoting Western press agencies.
We aren't going to use any such agencies.
And the news item you failed to broadcast
will be broadcast by the economics team.
Today!
Can I have those?
Go ahead.
After the youths
many of whom were armed
started destroying street lights
and parked cars,
the police officers had no choice
but to take appropriate action
to restore peace and safety
for residents of Prague
and by extension,
all residents of Czechoslovakia.
All newspapers put it this way.
No student is going to listen
to the Radio after this.
...of our country,
You, Mr. Weiner, are one of them.
- Jesus!
- Sure.
- How much have you read so far?
- About a half of it.
What are they saying?
They're bothered by Moscow being smeared.
And you wanting to source news
for non-socialist countries.
They say that they trust our sources.
Some are pretty blunt.
I'd like to see them
being this brave face to face.
But I was talking
about verifying information!
What's their problem with that?
Tom, would you have a minute?
Sure.
Vra, you and Tom are going to see
the authors of these letters.
Interview them on this subject.
Take a company car and get going.
Today!
- Hello?
- Hey, this is Tom.
Hey!
I have an unplanned night shift.
Okay.
There's some eggs
and bread in the food closet.
Okay.
- Are you studying for your history class?
- Yeah, sure.
Good night!
Good night!
This soup's gone
a little sour, don't you think?
Don't know. I don't cook.
At least not Czech cuisine.
But you eat it.
Like now.
Right, the soup isn't very good.
Do you cook?
I do.
Let's get going early in the morning.
At 7 am.
- As you say.
- Night!
Good night!
You gotta be kidding me!
Of course! You're on a business trip,
so you get drunk!
And a single woman definitely wants some...
The gentlemen at the bar
sent you this bottle.
Good night.
COMENIUS UNIVERSITY, BRATISLAVA
I apologize.
For yesterday.
It's okay. It was a misunderstanding.
There must be a mistake.
- Are you Jozef Bokro?
- Yes.
Were you at Milan Weiner's talk
at this school?
Yes but I didn't write this letter.
Did he run it by the censors?
Nope.
ON AIR
Good afternoon, this is Milan Weiner
greeting you on Czechoslovak Radio.
When talking to students,
I said several times
that using only the Czechoslovak
and Soviet press agencies wasn't enough.
Then we received several letters
from upset students who disagreed with me.
But since verifying information
is a part of journalism,
we went to Bratislava,
to the university where most
of these letters had come from.
Those letters were fake.
ON AIR
Someone wrote almost 300 of them
and sent them to us.
Because that someone is rooting for lies.
At International Life, we believe
that our listeners of any age
aren't interested in lies.
Write us or call us right now.
Call us if you want at least the Radio
to speak the truth.
We stand with you.
International Life newsroom.
- Dienstbier, International Life.
- Thank you!
Czechoslovak Radio!
Hello?
International Life!
Call Weiner. Now!
- I'll write down you name. Bye.
- Yes.
Thank you very much!
We appreciate it! Bye!
All their lines are busy.
Come in!
Comrade Havlk is here.
- Leave us.
- Okay.
Tom, we're in trouble!
What happened?
They're doing background checks
on everyone in your newsroom.
They wanted to know
why I recommended you to work with Weiner.
They asked about you and your brother.
But they were reasonable,
they let me talk to you first.
I vouched for you.
They're primarily after the journalists but
you have to sign
that you'll cooperate with them.
- Tom! Don't leave me hanging!
- I'm not snitching on anyone!
You don't have to!
Sign it and they'll leave you alone.
- It may be even better that way!
- What?
Then they'll leave you alone!
You just have to sign
that you'll cooperate.
Or you lose your job
and your brother ends up in an orphanage.
And who knows what they'll want from me!
Their system is falling apart
and they're kicking around in agony.
We just have to stick it out.
Tom!
I heard someone was taking pictures
of my daughter in kindergarten.
Don't leave me hanging now!
Please!
- Hello!
- Hello!
Can we see Mr. Weiner?
We know he's still here.
Fifth floor.
You stay here and keep watch. Let's go!
Every year, millions of tourists stream
across the borders of European countries.
Supposedly, this great migration
spells great hope for Europe.
I'm not just standing here like a dupe!
We even managed to take a few pictures.
We can't broadcast this.
Trust me, now it would be bad tactics.
It could be useful later.
We're fighting for free speech.
Just like you.
Just be careful.
We'd better take the back exit today.
Okay. I need to finish writing something.
We'll lock the door later.
What do you want?
Your IDs!
The handbag!
What do you want?
What?
Where's the tape?
What tape?
Hey!
What do you mean, hey?
As the president, I can no longer tolerate
the creeping influence of pro-Western
imperialist elements in Czechoslovakia.
Subversive, harmful and hostile elements.
Even at such institutions
as Czechoslovak Radio.
Even the president
is talking about the Radio!
These are letters from listeners
who support us.
Real letters.
We can't even answer them all.
No one's gonna ask you about that!
The secret police stormed the building
and you keep pretending...
They found nothing.
They damaged our equipment.
How dare they?
Do you know what they want?
Listen, Weiner: if you have anything
they want, get rid of it now!
I don't want people to get arrested here.
Will you be responsible for your editors?
You're a Communist.
So show it, damn it!
Or they'll get you for this in no time.
Hello.
Milan, would you have a second?
Alexander Dubek.
A young Slovak Communist.
For the first time,
he openly spoke about free speech.
Well...
Let's give his some praise, then.
This Dubek.
Move it! Everything to the loading ramp!
FREE SPEECH
FREE SPEECH DUBEK
FREE SPEECH DUBEK
Stop! Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Fucking school boys!
We have a reason to be optimistic.
Soon we'll be able to bring you
reliable information. We stand with you.
DECEMBER 1967
I think I got lucky.
No male editor
wanted to go to Africa back then.
I was the only candidate.
Well, try to make an African dish.
Everyone would love that.
I'm not that brave.
Plus unlike you, I don't enjoy cooking.
I cook because I have to.
I got my little brother in my care.
- Comrade Havlk!
- Good evening!
Good evening.
I don't know anything about any tape.
Why didn't you tell us
what your brother was involved in?
We know that someone from your newsroom
has the tape. Do you know who?
What's going on with my brother?
We know someone from your newsroom
has the tape.
Do they want to broadcast it?
- Pavel isn't involved in anything!
- Where is the tape?
I don't know.
If you don't tell us right now,
we'll beat your brother to a pulp.
Or he won't return at all.
Do you fucking understand?
I don't know who has it now.
It passes between the editors
at random intervals.
Okay.
So, what do you suggest, comrade?
NEW YEAR'S EVE 1967
What is it?
Suya. A Nigerian dish.
Did you make this?
He rejected my Palestine report again.
I wanted to smack him with it!
Did she just let you draw her like this?
I want to go to India too!
Always the same.
They're just provoking us!
Have some!
The ice queen's cooking!
Thank you.
Like this?
...and top it with the cheese.
We don't have palm oil anyway,
so yes, like this.
Tom?
Come, it's almost midnight!
Seven!
Six!
Five!
Four!
Three!
Two!
One!
Happy New Year!
May you always be our funny man, Lubo!
Secret police!
Good evening!
What is this, gentlemen?
There's one hiding here!
Come check him out!
Whose bag is it?
Whose bag is it?
Mine.
Karel!
Happy New Year 1968!
- What?
- I think you overslept!
What?
What time is it?
It's 9!
My shifts changed.
You got a girlfriend!
How come you're not at school?
I'm sick.
Could you sign the excuse note for me?
Where is it?
In my bag.
I didn't sign this note.
You faked my signature!
I know. You weren't home
and I needed that note signed.
You can't write your own excuse notes!
- What was I supposed to do?
- Leave it on the table!
- Where were you?
- Home.
- Sick again?
- Yes, I was sick again.
Are you going through my stuff?
Damn it, are you going through my stuff?
If you're up to anything sketchy,
you're out of this house.
Go to jail or the juvie, I don't care!
I will! Because if nothing
changes in this household,
I have no reason to stay here.
Or in this country!
I turned 17 yesterday,
just for your information.
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry to hear that, Tom.
I'm sorry about what happened.
But you have nothing to be afraid of.
How come?
Prudence isn't knowing
how things will turn out.
Prudence is being ready
for any outcome.
Which you are.
Results of the audition
for international correspondents:
at the end of the year,
Comrade imr is going to Warsaw.
And in September, our dear comrade
Vra ovkov will start in Tokyo.
Thank you, the meeting is over.
Weiner!
Can I have a quick word with you?
Jezdinsk took all the blame
for that tape.
But they want more, they're after you.
I got a call about you from Moscow.
They wanted information.
Be careful!
We want to get rid of old disused studios.
I want your proposals
what obsolete equipment
and which studios to get rid of
before the end of this year.
It may also concern
the emergency army switch room.
The charts for that one
are in this cabinet.
Only the director of the Communications
Authority has the key.
Yes, go ahead.
Your name?
Mr. Weiner, there's an angry listener
downstairs who wants to speak to you.
He says that you should know
not everyone supports you.
And that he's a real, normal person
and a Communist.
- And?
- He said you were an imperialist agent
and wanted to speak on the Radio
which I told him wasn't possible.
Milan, you know you won't
get away with this.
Let's hear the other side
if they want to talk.
He's an old man.
I'm speaking to a regional
Communist functionary,
a retired worker who is dissatisfied
with International Life broadcasts.
Comrade Zruba,
welcome to Czechoslovak Radio.
Hello.
You said you objected
to me mentioning the possibility
that our elections
may have been fraudulent.
And that I oppose Moscow
and the Soviet Union.
Tell me, comrade Zruba, do you really
believe that in the past 20 years,
99.9% of people always agreed
with the government
as per the election results?
Comrade Weiner,
there is no simple answer to that.
I'm not asking
whether you know that for a fact.
I'd like to know if you believe
this number is based in reality.
Well, I don't think it's quite accurate.
So where does the difference
between the official 99%
and the real figure come from?
I think that most people are happy
with the way things are.
Perhaps fewer people agreed but they
didn't express it in the elections.
But why? Was everyone able to express
their agreement or disagreement
in the elections?
I can't really say.
Comrade Zruba,
you are no stranger to politics.
Was the ballot secret?
Was everyone able to express...
I admit that in a certain period
they forced people
to stay out of the ballot box.
I heard it happened in some places.
Could it be considered election fraud?
When the ballot isn't secret?
- You are trying to manipulate me.
- No, I'm asking you.
Does it amount to election fraud?
Yes or no, answer the question.
ON AIR
Damn!
What's wrong?
Jarunka, tell him what's wrong.
The director wants to see you upstairs.
Take a seat, please.
The January convention
elected Alexander Dubek
General Secretary
of the Communist Party.
Starting now, media are allowed
to use international news sources.
Such as AFP or Reuters.
Good evening!
Good evening!
It's in the news all over the world,
in France, in the USA:
"Czechoslovakia finds
its perfect balance."
Oh my love!
Oh my love!
I used to have everything sorted out.
But now I have no idea.
Give me a clear direction
and I can move the universe.
What?
It's a quote from a play.
But I have no clear direction
in my life now.
I just want to do something
that I find meaningful.
Was being a foreign
correspondent meaningful?
It was.
So you'll go to Tokyo
and find meaning in life again.
How can you tell
if something is meaningful to you?
That it's the easiest thing
in the world to do.
It can be dangerous.
You just know.
I want it to be meaningful to him.
To Pavel?
The Red Star newspaper.
How they asked me to comment
on the events in Czechoslovakia?
Yes?
I wrote that there was a thaw,
a liberalization,
that Dubek could abolish censorship.
I wrote we were Communists
who wanted socialism but a human one
and that people were happy
about all these changes.
Why are you showing it to me?
They wrote the exact opposite.
And published it under my name.
A colleague at Reuters
told me they were lying about us.
All Russian newspapers are lying
about what's happening here!
I don't know what to do about it.
I'll go talk to Hrabsk.
We need someone we can rely on in Moscow
to give us first-hand information.
What about you?
Will you go to Moscow, Lubo?
Thank you.
CZECHOSLOVAK EMBASSY IN MOSCOW
Comrade Dobrovsk!
Yes?
Khornikov, press secretary.
I want to give you a friendly heads-up.
If you need help with a report, call me.
What about my article in the Red Star?
When will you publish a correction?
We don't publish corrections.
MARCH 1968
We'd like to know how Germans see it.
Yes, I'm back. I'm here.
International Life
at Czechoslovak Radio, hello!
Yes, I'm listening.
Is your source reliable?
There are multiple sources, okay.
Hold the line, please.
Okay.
Thank you.
Yes.
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO OFFICES
IN KARLN, PRAGUE
Why didn't Mr. Weiner
want to tell me what was going on?
He wanted only me, Petrnek
and himself to know.
PRAGUE CASTLE,
RESIDENCE OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK PRESIDENI got something for you.
So that you don't starve in Tokyo.
Comrade president, citizens are asking
what's happening at our universities.
And what does it mean?
We have information, I regret to say,
that illegal student clubs are nurturing
subversive or even fascist ideas.
We won't tolerate it any longer.
Tom, is everything ready?
Let me be absolutely clear:
we must finally crack down
on anyone who is against us!
Comrade president!
Jan Petrnek, Czechoslovak Radio.
What is your reaction
to the information about your son
and the alleged exorbitant sum of money
in his Swiss bank account?
Allegedly, that money was siphoned
out of governments funds.
Could you comment on it?
Novotn speaking.
Hello, Mr. Novotn,
this is Bank of Lausanne.
Czechoslovak journalists
called our offices
and requested
information about your bank account.
- Really?
- Yes.
Listen, don't give them any information.
Of course.
We only wanted to inform you.
I see. Thank you.
Would you answer a few questions
about your customer experience?
No, I'm sorry, I'm busy.
If they call again,
find out their names and where they work.
Mr. Novotn, this is Czechoslovak Radio,
International Life.
- How did it go?
- Go!
May I help you, comrades?
They mustn't take it away from us again!
They won't. We'll give it to them.
Czechoslovak Radio.
- So you didn't know what they were up to?
- No!
Stop the bullshit!
We want something we can use
against Vra ovkov. Anything!
- Proof that she's a Western spy!
- I don't know anything like that!
What do you think happens
to young guys in jail?
You think murderers and perverts
make them happy?
It's you choice:
your brother or ovkov!
We have proof that you
are cooperating with Western intelligence.
I do nothing of that kind!
What do you do with this?
How should I put it?
I cook the recipes in it.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
What're you doing?
What were you thinking?
What the fuck were you thinking?
I don't want to be a wimp like you!
I want to do something about it!
You're a hero,
because you only care about yourself!
You were still little
when Mom and Dad had that crash.
You have no idea
what it's like to lose someone!
- Why do you think I'm doing this?
- I don't give a damn!
I don't wanna live like this!
If Mom and Dad only saw you!
I at least distribute leaflets.
What do you do?
I work for Weiner.
What?
It's happening!
It's happening! It's happening!
Turn on the radio!
The president resigned!
The newly elected president
of Czechoslovakia is Ludvk Svoboda.
His name bodes well for the country
as svoboda is Czech for freedom.
Censorship is no more. Hooray!
Petr!
Tom!
Thank you!
Lubo!
"Socialism with a human face."
It ends with:
- Turn it down!
- Sure.
"It proves that in any historical
situation, light can be found
though it may be carried by very few."
I'm glad that Lubo
has come to see us from Moscow.
Great job, my friends!
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
This isn't how Moscow media see it.
They don't call it "socialism
with a human face" but "fascism".
They often sabotage our office,
disconnect our phones.
Most of my international
colleagues believe
Moscow will take
military action against us.
Don't be so glum!
Those few months in Moscow
made you paranoid!
I've heard they're already getting
the army ready to invade Czechoslovakia.
I hate to ruin this beautiful moment,
I'm happy about all our successes
and I don't want to make
any false accusations
but I think there's a spy among us.
When they found the tape on Karel
on New Year's Eve,
they knew what they were doing.
It was the only time
they could be sure to find it.
Someone told them
it was passing between us
and that we would all be there.
It was the right place and time.
And when they barged
into Vra's apartment,
how did they know where to find
things written in French? Again,
someone must've told them.
- Who else would've known?
- Let's not go there, Lubo!
Obviously, they are trying to infiltrate us
but be careful with any accusations.
That's exactly what they want.
Let's be careful.
To our new president!
To freedom of speech!
To Svoboda!
Tom! Did you check out
the external studios?
I did.
I'd like to take a look at it too
if you're done with it.
Sure.
Why is he interested in external studios?
Don't know. He just is.
Since when
have you been working for them?
Since December.
What did you tell them?
Just the thing with the tape.
Just the thing with the tape.
I'm trying to defend us as much as I can.
If I didn't, we'd all be busted already.
I won't tell anyone.
Bul can't just ignore it.
- Milan! Wine?
- Thank you.
- Want some?
- Sure!
- He never told us he had a brother!
- He was probably ashamed of me!
Do you have wine or should I get more?
We do and you should!
Well, it's...
- We're happy.
- It helps the team.
You fell asleep with the kids, didn't you?
- Turn the music down?
- No, it's fine.
Milan!
A brain tumor.
We don't know what stage
and nobody knows
how it's going to progress.
Thank you.
Believe me, dear listeners,
the fact that I can be here in the studio
and talk to you off the top of my head
so to speak
instead of reading a preapproved text
is something I consider
a true victory of our nation.
In the recent months
of newly gained freedom,
please, think of our editor-in-chief,
Milan Weiner, who is battling
a severe disease.
In this new
democratic socialism,
try to finally find the time to think
about who or what really matters
in your life.
Good night.
Happy birthday!
AUGUST 20
Havlk speaking.
Good evening.
Welcome, Mr. Havlk. Come in!
I'm sorry to bring you here
this late at night
but it's a bit of an emergency.
Take a seat.
You are one of the first people
in this country to find out.
Anytime now, the Soviet
and other Warsaw Pact armies
will cross our borders.
They are heading to Prague,
their planes are already landing.
You need to go to the Radio
and facilitate the broadcast
of this news item.
It says that these armies represent
international aid
against fascists in Czechoslovakia.
And that these armies have been invited
by the leaders of our country.
But that...
It isn't true!
You need to do it as soon as possible.
This is the worst moment to take risks.
At this point, it's easy to pick your side.
You needed to insert someone with Weiner.
To be safe
no matter how things turned out.
Tom,
you need to see it
in the broadest possible context.
Armies of five countries
are coming to Czechoslovakia.
Including the Soviet one.
I don't think your parents
would like you to play hero.
They wouldn't like to see you
fail to take care of Pavel either.
Him being unable to go to college,
to live in dignity.
All because of you.
Am I right?
I don't know.
I don't know
what my parents would've liked.
But I don't want the person I'm raising
to be ashamed of me.
I don't know what broader context
I should see it in.
If the Radio says anything else than this,
I'll have the transmitters shut down.
- What're you doing?
- Pack your stuff, the Russians are here!
- What?
- They're invading us. Pack up your stuff!
Wait! Are we running away?
You gotta leave, I'm staying.
Are you crazy?
I'm not going anywhere without you!
Pavel!
Please, pack your things and leave now!
I gotta go to the Radio.
Pavel, dear,
there's some money hidden
between the mats in the bathroom.
Take it and get out of the country
while you can.
Promise me!
Promise me!
Hello?
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO
I'm serious,
they're landing in Prague now.
Gentlemen! I've been looking for you.
We need to connect
the army switch room.
These are all the security keys,
charts and manuals.
We can keep broadcasting
either from our switch room
or the army wartime switch room.
It'll broadcast from all our offices
in Prague and other cities.
We'll all share a single wire connection.
We'll have to pass it to each other
like in a relay.
What's going on?
KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA DAILY
MOSCOW
INTERNATIONAL AID FOR CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Dobrovsk, hello?
Sooner or later,
we may get busted for this.
Not just the people who will speak on air.
It's okay if you decide to leave now.
But you have to decide now.
We need to lock the building
as soon as possible.
It's only a matter of time
before the troops find the Radio.
But we'll keep broadcasting
as long as possible.
As long as our legitimate government
is in power.
Dear listeners, keep your radios on.
Wake up your loved ones
and your neighbors.
We are about to make an announcement
of exceptional importance.
Good evening. Good evening.
God bless you!
Karel Jezdinsk, Czechoslovak Radio.
We need comrade Dubek's statement
while we can still run it.
We don't know how much time we have left.
Have you lost your mind?
Tanks are coming and you want
to tell people to relax and go to work?
What do you expect to happen
when an angry mob clashes with this army?
Government statement.
Yes?
I'm off.
ON AIR
Dear listeners!
Yesterday, that is on August 20,
at around 11 pm,
the armies of the Soviet Union,
Poland,
East Germany,
Hungary,
and Bulgaria
crossed the borders of Czechoslovakia.
It happened without the knowledge
of our president
or the First Secretary
of the Communist Party Alexander Dubek.
The Party's Central Committee considers
this an act of aggression
in violation of the basic tenets
of international law.
At the same time...
...to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.
Karel, we're off the air, there's just static.
Excellent. Thank you. Honor to labor!
Call Dubek!
Hoffman had the transmitter shut down.
Call Dubek, damn it!
I'll patch him through.
LIBLICE RADIO TRANSMITTER TOWER
Liblice transmitter, Jonek speaking.
This is Czechoslovak Radio.
General Secretary Alexander Dubek
wants to speak with you.
What?
Of course!
Bastards!
We stand with you! We stand with you!
We don't know how much longer
we'll stay on air
but we'll keep broadcasting
as long as we can.
USSR
DAILY NEWS
MOSCOW
Fascists in Czechoslovakia!
We are aiding Prague!
It's an invasion, you idiots!
What do you know about it? You fascist!
Unfortunately, we have sad news.
Soviet invaders are shooting at civilians.
People have been killed in Prague
and the injured number in the hundreds.
The troops mistook
the National Museum for the Radio
and kept firing at it incessantly
for several minutes.
But it seems they are
already on their way here
to stop free radio broadcast.
- We've been disconnected.
- What?
They shut down our connection to Prague.
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
We're still in the studio and...
Dear listeners, we're still in the studio
but tanks are already
in front of the building
which is being protected
by a brave unarmed crowd.
Again, we unequivocally declare
our support for our legitimate government
which doesn't approve of this invasion.
Stand aside!
Stand aside! It's pointless!
Embassy of East Germany
Embassy of the Soviet Union
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
Zdenk...last name?
Zdenk imr.
Hands up! Move it!
They're inside the building.
The troops are inside the building.
They're inside the building.
Vra, they're inside the building
and they're coming here.
Dear listeners, the troops
are already inside the Radio building
and soon, they'll reach the upper floors.
Soon, we'll play the state anthem
which will probably mark
the end of free radio broadcast.
Hands up!
Get out! Move it!
Get out of the building! Move it!
Go! Go!
Out of the building!
They're here!
We stand with you, stand with us!
Let us pray!
- Mr. Petrnek!
- I'm sorry!
The room!
Petrnek, ovkov, Dienstbier,
Jezdinsk, ermk. Where are they?
Hello!
SCOUT CHILDREN'S CLUB
- Did you see what happened?
- Yes.
- Can I ask you a few questions?
- Sure.
We're on ern street in Prague.
ITALIAN EMBASSY IN PRAGUE
- Hello!
- Welcome!
Here you go: the BBC.
Will it work?
That depends on Tom.
What are you doing here? Drop it!
Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.
Where there is despair,
let me bring hope.
Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.
Where there is darkness,
let me bring light.
He says someone has to man the switch room
to facilitate regular city operation.
It would only cause more chaos!
You don't want that, do you?
I am a Secret Police agent,
we're with you! You can check!
He says he's a Secret Police agent.
Check if he's telling the truth!
(names of the legitimate leaders
of Czechoslovakia)
Simona!
The printing press is running!
Trust in the legitimate...
Don't aid the invaders.
INVADERS, GO BACK HOME!
No news yet.
We're waiting for him to connect to us.
Maybe they already got him.
There must be troops everywhere by now.
He's telling the truth.
If he escapes, you're dead.
The bakery in Charles Square
can start baking.
Bread delivery has resumed.
Flour is rationed out.
Charles Square starts baking first,
Karln 15 minutes later,
other bakeries will follow.
We're patched through.
We're patched through,
all on a single wire.
We'll take turns every 15 minutes
until the army switch room comes online.
Call others in all regions!
This is Czechoslovak Radio staff.
We're back on air!
We support our legitimate government
and condemn the invasion
of the Warsaw Pact armies.
We stand with you, stand with us!
Comrade director!
The troops control the Radio building.
Impossible! Get the car!
MILITARY WARTIME SWITCH ROOM
We have information about the first
citizens fleeing Czechoslovakia.
They are requesting asylum in Austria.
Yes, they are requesting
asylum in Austria.
People are burning Soviet books
and trying to fight
against the overwhelming military power
in smart ways to avoid bloodshed.
To the Radio. Quick!
Damn it!
Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!
WE TRUST YOU!
In the streets, people are calling
for our leaders.
But several sources have confirmed
our leaders have been captured
by the invaders
and abducted to an unknown location.
The 18-year-old student
who blocked the troops' path
in front of the Party
Central Committee building
was shot in the head
and many others were wounded.
The army switch room is online.
You can disconnect the main building
and get out of there.
Right, thank you.
What?
Who are you?
Don't move!
...and the pine tree reaches the star.
Because I am not a wolf by blood
- and only my...
- What's going on here?
Go home, boy!
Go home!
Don't move!
Fucking traitors!
Don't move!
Damn it!
How come they're still on air?
They're broadcasting through
an army switch room for wartime use.
So why aren't we there already?
Because I don't fucking know where it is!
Dear listeners, more studios are
joining our relay broadcast.
We'll get the news from
Pilsen and esk Budjovice
but first, let's hear from playwright
Vclav Havel and Jan Tska in Liberec.
Thank you gentlemen.
What's the situation over there?
- To Podol, right?
- Yeah.
Stop!
Don't stop! Don't stop!
Stop!
Stop that car! Stop that car!
Yes...
Definitely.
We've just been informed that in Podol,
the Soviets shot a car into pieces.
The people inside were students
distributing leaflets.
According to this yet unverified
information, none of them survived.
(names of the legitimate leaders
of Czechoslovakia)
CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO
The Na Frantiku Hospital
seeks volunteers amid a power outage
which has also struck other essential
services as well as households.
As of yet, there is no news
from our leaders in Moscow.
We will persevere
as long as the leaders
of our country persevere.
Shame on you, Moscow!
Shame on you, Budapest!
Shame on all of you
who have brought violence and evil
to the finally free Czechoslovakia!
What?
Dear listeners! Our leaders are returning
from negotiations in Moscow.
They are asking Radio employees
to connect the Central Committee studio
and let Alexander Dubek
speak to the nation.
We stand with you, stand with us.
Czechoslovak leaders are returning
after six days of negotiations in Moscow.
People can't wait
to hear their message to the nation.
We are certainly very hopeful,
hoping to hear good news
regarding our future.
The others just arrived at the Castle.
Dubek's speech is supposed
to start in 15 minutes.
Okay.
Yes. Thank you.
Do you hear me?
Yeah.
Connecting in three, two, one...
Dear fellow citizens and comrades.
Today we all understand
that from now on, things won't be simple.
Things will be complicated.
But no matter what turns life takes...
...our nation belongs
to the community of socialist nations
That's a surrender!
And socialist countries.
CZECHOSLOVAK BORDER
WARNING! STATE BORDER!
Tom, I'm not sure
if I can handle living here.
Let's leave together!
Pavel left the country.
Let's leave too!
We can't all just leave!
Or nothing will ever change here.
Some are more useful abroad,
some here.
I got you something.
To remember me.
Good luck!
International Life newsroom.
- Can you take it downstairs for approval?
- Yep.
And make me a coffee. Thank you!
Hey Tom! I'm writing from Austria...
It's the last one
they allowed to be delivered.
Can I write back to him?
But we want to give you one more chance.
- What is it?
- A letter to your peers.
An apology for your activities
during the arrival of the friendly armies
and a condemnation of your colleagues
who collaborated on the illegal broadcast.
If you sign, everything will be forgotten
and you can stay at the Radio.
Business as usual.
Tom.
Goodbye.
Hey!
I heard you got asylum in Austria.
I did.
But I came back.
Why?
WAVES
AZ Translations
Journalists who didn't yield to the regime
and decided to stay in Czechoslovakia
were persecuted and forced to accept jobs
that were inadequate
to their qualifications.
Along with their families, they faced
psychological and physical assaults
until the 1989 revolution.
They persevered.
Dedicated to all courageous journalists.
We stand with you.