Former Czech Republic president Václav Havel died from respiratory problems earlier today. Havel, who had been a heavy smoker, was 75.
Besides his role as a political dissident during the Communist regime and as a representative of Czechoslovakia's transition from Communist rule to economically and politically troubled constitutional democracy, Havel was also a playwright.
A number of his plays were filmed for television throughout the '80s and '90s. In 2011, Havel himself directed for the big screen an adaptation of his play Leaving, which was released in the Czech Republic in March. Making clear allusions to Havel himself and to his nemesis and successor, Czech president Vaclav Klaus, Leaving is a dramatic comedy about a once-popular chancellor (played by veteran Josef Abrhám) whose fortunes have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. As a result, he must vacate his posh official residence so his successor, Vlastik Klein (Jaroslav Dusek), can move in.
Besides his role as a political dissident during the Communist regime and as a representative of Czechoslovakia's transition from Communist rule to economically and politically troubled constitutional democracy, Havel was also a playwright.
A number of his plays were filmed for television throughout the '80s and '90s. In 2011, Havel himself directed for the big screen an adaptation of his play Leaving, which was released in the Czech Republic in March. Making clear allusions to Havel himself and to his nemesis and successor, Czech president Vaclav Klaus, Leaving is a dramatic comedy about a once-popular chancellor (played by veteran Josef Abrhám) whose fortunes have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. As a result, he must vacate his posh official residence so his successor, Vlastik Klein (Jaroslav Dusek), can move in.
- 12/18/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
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