Bohemia docta is a portrait of the Czech spirit, inspired by major works of Czech and world culture as well as Alphonse Mucha’s painted cycle “Slovanská epopej” (The Slavic Epic). This film novel is the third part of Vachek’s soon-to-be-completed tetralogy Malý kapitalista (The Little Capitalist). This unique, grand-scale documentary epic is the author’s reflection on the social and spiritual processes in the Czech Republic during the past decade. In Bohemia Docta, Vachek contemplates the specific characteristic of the Czech spirit: the co-existence between significant works of art and the unacceptability of other aspects of the lives of prominent figures of Czech culture, from Karel Sabina and Ladislav Klíma to contemporary artists. With Revivalist pathos, Vachek opens questions concerning the future of our society and individual lives. The film, however, is loyal to the traditional imperative of all of Vachek’s works: while truthful, the film must be funny and amusing!

Cast / Václav Havel , Jiří Gruša , Ivan Martin Jirous , Eugen Brikcius , Egon Bondy , Václav Hálek , Jim Čert , Jaroslav Foglar , Dagmar Havlová , Ivan Diviš , Vratislav Brabenec , Milan Hlavsa    Writer / Karel Vachek    DoP / Karel Slach    Editor / Renata Pařezová    Sound / Libor Sedláček

Release date / 16 December 2000