Citizen Havel

A humorous and humble reflection on the Czech symbol of humanity and decency in politics. Man who was such a great president despite of the fact(or just because of it) that he had never wanted to be political active. Typically, he would have been a great screen-writer who would have written his philosophical plays. But under the non-normal conditions of totalitarian " normalization" (time after Russian occupation 1969-1989) his philosophy of humanity must have become political and he must have become a politician, no matter how he tried to distant from this standpoint by calling it "unpolitical politics". The documentary reflects more than 10 years of the backstage of his presidency,where he is showed more as an ordinary man then as a president.He wasn't afraid to show uncertainty, pain, helplessness and he made no secret of the fact that his presidency had been really tiring for him. On the other hand, the documentary isn't just about the human background of one president, it reflects Central European political situation in 90's. And last but not least, the document is based on humor and optimistic unworldliness. I love scenes where Ex US president Bill Clinton played the saxophone (he got as a present from Havel) in a Jazz club as well as the scene where Havel tried to rescue the legendary Café Slavia etc.I could go on, but let's see yourselves.

Vaclav Havel confirms his status as one of the most likable men to ever win office in this intriguing film, made over nearly a decade. It's a measure of the man that he's prepared to be so open (joking about his hopes to lose the election, complaining about American food) and shows the contrast with most of today's micro-managed spin-friendly gravy train riders. Many of his meetings take place in smoke and alcohol filled rooms, further marking him as a politician of the old school. The action centres not so much on political decision making (the president is largely a ceremonial position) but more the niceties of diplomacy, both foreign and working with a prime minister he despised. There are plenty of laughs to be had as well as poignant episodes such as the death of his first wife, which is sensitively handled. One of the most illuminating political films of the 21st century.