Original subtitles

with the support of

present a film by Petr Zelenka and his friends

Tel Aviv, Israel, March 2019

That was my bag, you idiot!

Your bag is history, Yitzhak.

- Lower, to avoid the propellers. - I can’t see it, you know.

- A little further, otherwise okay. - Now a little to the right.

I know, let me try it another way.

Cut, dammit!

- Are you okay? - I hurt my arm!

Broke his hand and some ribs.

His back is fine.

Don’t cancel yet. I’ll find someone, no problem.

I need a navigator.

It’s a great job.

He’s in the hospital.

No?

Great, you’re a real friend. Bye.

Commercial for Russia.

You’re in Peru?

What’re you doing there?

Climbing…

Machu Picchu, eh?

I can’t remember my last vacation.

Tel Aviv Bomb Attack Witness Speaks Out

DRONEMAN

You promised not to come till six.

It is six.

You might have come a little later.

That’s not what we agreed.

You promised to find a place. But you’ve been here three months.

- I’m working on it. - How hard are you trying?

Do you get how ridiculous it is?

You don’t have to be so loud.

I want to enjoy myself.

I’m 38 years old.

I don’t get much sex but I want to enjoy it when I do.

I don’t like feeling that my brother might walk in any minute.

- I’m your brother. - That’s right.

Hi, what’s the argument?

- Good afternoon. - You already met Aleš.

Don’t be so formal, just say hi.

- Hi. - The offer’s still good.

Aleš has kindly agreed to interview you.

- Why? - So you’ll start doing something.

Call and we’ll arrange it.

One of your friends, Plech, is looking for you.

- Hello? - It’s Pavel.

Hi, Pavel. It’s Plech from high school.

I know. How’s it going?

Not so great.

My company films with drones.

- And my navigator just bombed. - What do you mean bombed?

Oh, you thought for real. You’re used to it from Israel, eh?

Sorry, I just read about it.

But I’m calling to ask a favor.

I need someone to fly a drone tomorrow night.

- I don’t fly anymore. - Oh, come on!

- And I don’t know drones. - But you flew model planes.

If you know planes, you know drones.

…But above all the feeling of safety, of guaranteed certainty and order.

This government can’t guarantee the safety of its citizens,

and it even brags about it. That has to change.

We have to rely on the three mainstays:

the legislative, judicial, and executive branches.

They are the foundation on which we must stand.

And if you allow me to do so, I will look after them.

As a lawyer I always safeguarded my clients’ interests.

As your president I will look after the entire country.

That’s my work, my responsibility.

I care about the fate of the people of this country.

Just as I care about its values, and I will strive to protect them.

The first of these is the ideal of law.

Let’s build a just society, a just country for all.

Pavel!

- Hey there! - Hi!

- I’ve been calling, but you don’t answer. - Sorry.

I’m not going to do it.

- What do you mean? - I’m not.

So you came here to tell me you’re not doing it?

I’ve never flown a drone before. They’re expensive, aren’t they?

Pavel, don’t do this to me.

There’s no way I can cancel the job. I’m totally screwed.

- You look good. - That’s just outside, inside I’m fucked.

Well, guys?

- Hi, I’m Vlad. - Hello.

The director asks if you fly together.

Yeah, he works with me.

They’re ready. How about you?

- What does it cost? - A quarter. - A quarter what?

Quarter million. It’s got GPS.

Let go of the joysticks and it hovers.

Okay.

Five minutes.

Excellent.

Put this on.

Get ready.

We’re about to roll!

Pavel, can you hear me?

I’m ready.

Car in position, drone in position.

- Drone ready. - Camera…

Action car, action drone!

Higher, higher…

Further from the car, further…

Don’t worry, further away.

Right, that’s it.

Exactly like that.

Mr. Lane would like to know if you can fly it through the bridge supports.

Typical. I knew that’s what they’d want.

- It’s dangerous. - They’re not sure it’ll work.

Let’s try it. It’s a challenge.

- This is your first time. - “If you know planes, you know drones.”

Action drone, action car!

Fantastic! That was great!

- Do you need something? - No…

- I just like the music. - Just some old Russian thing I dug up.

Yanka Dyagileva.

You know her?

Yeah, but I never understand what she’s singing about.

Just what all Russians sing about: their hard time in the world.

Good old Russian blues.

Next month we’ll be holding a memorial event for Yanka.

- Get in touch if you’re interested. - Thanks.

Are we leaving or what?

Okay then.

- Here’s your pay. - Isn’t it too much?

- It’s a commercial, a big deal. - Thanks.

This is my website. Can I drop you?

I’ve got my car.

I also need a hand on a job this Thursday.

Okay.

You should’ve told me you flew drones.

But I don’t.

Okay, bye.

- Bye. - Thanks.

Hello, can I help you?

- I brought something for Mr. Zavadil. - Fine, we’ll give it to him.

- Can I speak to him? - He’s out of the office at the moment.

But I just saw him,

so unless you have an emergency exit.

Sometimes they do that.

Do what?

People in his position sometimes have a way out in case people bother them.

Eva, can you come here…

and help this gentleman?

- Hello, how can I help you? - He wants to talk to the doctor.

- Hello. - Hello.

Do you have an appointment?

I returned home a few months ago.

I started recharging scooters… Those electric ones.

You know how it works? They pay you 100 crowns to recharge it.

- I think it’s a good system. - Sure.

Every day I ride past your billboards. They make sense to me,

- and so I’d like to work for you. - Where were you?

- Israel. - Working with scooters?

- No, drugs. - You took them?

No, made them.

- I noticed you sitting in a car outside. - I was sitting there.

You sat there for two hours.

I get off at four. We can grab a coffee across the street if you like.

The autograph signing in Brno at 3:30.

We’ll make it, but you have to be there at two.

No, exactly.

And get things ready, especially the entrances. Bye.

Sorry, I have to leave it on. With the election coming we have to be available.

Of course.

- I’m Pavel. - Eva.

What do you do for Mr. Zavadil?

His schedule and give him legal consulting.

You’re a lawyer?

- That’s good. - Yeah?

The law is necessary, isn’t it?

- Do we have a good legal system? - What do you mean?

Does the Czech legal system help uncover the truth?

- You know how it is… - What can I get you? - Espresso.

- Does the doctor have a chance? - I think he does.

- I’m going to vote for him. - That’s certainly the right decision.

I think a person should do something with the time he has left.

Are you sick?

- No, why? - Because of what you just said. - What?

- So you’d like to work for us? - Yes.

Yes, Doctor…

I’m coming.

I’m just across the street. Sorry, I have to go.

- I’ll take care of it. - Thanks.

Can I work for you?

We’ll think of something.

Bye.

Excuse, excuse!

Sorry for the disconnect, I unplug when their facts don’t check.

Don’t know the diff between leading and cheating.

They want to rule, but can’t help acting the fool, like a tool.

They’re supposed to serve but what do they deserve? Corruption, halt!

They want to divide us so that they can rule.

The same stuffed shirts pushing a new trick.

He wears a new suit but he’s just another prick – the migrant shtick.

He still can’t talk the talk and yet he rules the block.

Built himself a nest, told the stork it’s time to stay.

Just shut your bill and peck away, maybe parrot what others say.

Is it okay? No place low to lay, the web’s become a hive.

They talking jive? What’s their advice? Slave all day, an acceptable price.

Ain’t got all the cards? Forget about the jokers. Hey!

Corruption, halt! It’s all a trap:

revolution, drugs, whores, and a nightcap.

Corruption, halt! No one opens.

One slaps his forehead, another wants to move on.

Dude, you’re the man!

You’re a rapper. You’ve got great lyrics.

Let me introduce you to my girlfriend.

- Hi. - Monika. - Hi. - Pavel.

This is my new navigator, Pavel. We know each other from high school.

- Hi. - Hi.

Let’s do this.

The pigs will be here. And we’d like you

to get down to the level of the pigs and film the people we’ve positioned there.

- What’s it about? - Like, the idea?

It’s about the deal that the Ministry of Industry struck with the Chinese:

someone made out like a bandit.

- You know nothing about it, right? - It’s called Pigs at the Trough.

It’s easy but we can’t screw it up. We can blow it up only once.

How much longer?

Another five minutes.

- Then you start blowing it up? - That’s right.

Wind?

The wind is fine.

The guys are almost ready. Five minutes.

What’s its maximum load?

This one… Six or seven kilos.

Could you spray paint from it? Fly up to the level of a billboard

and remotely turn on a sprayer that was fixed to the drone?

Theoretically, yes.

But you’d have to block the propellers from affecting the flow of the paint.

Hey, no way. That’s vandalism.

Man, everything is vandalism. What are we doing right now?

Just hold on there.

This is okay by me. I’m just shooting it.

But I draw the line at spraying people’s windows with a drone.

Okay, relax.

Okay, stay alert. The guys are ready.

Nice!

Hey, the cops.

- Turn it around. - Do we run for it?

No, but bring it on back.

Hold on, let’s film them.

I’m getting out of here. See you at the MeetFactory.

Come down, and land that drone!

I repeat, in the name of the law, come down, and land that drone!

- Pavel, don’t provoke them. Bring it back. - Sure.

- Hello. - Your ID, gentlemen.

What was going on here?

I don’t know those people.

I have permission from the city, a license, insurance…

When will they broadcast it?

This evening, I think.

- Hi. - How are the guys? - They’re at the police station.

But it’s okay. The cops know we filmed them so they’re chill.

- But what a rush, huh? - Yeah.

- The footage? - Here it is in HD.

It goes straight onto my computer.

- Are you gonna blow up the Stork’s Nest? - No.

The next action is President Zeman, sometime in August.

Boxers at the Castle?

An assassination.

We’re getting the money together.

What does it cost?

Killing a regular guy is 150,000 crowns. You can hire a Slovak to do it.

- That’s right. - But politicians cost more.

Presidents cost 300,000. We only have 120,000.

What’s the project called?

We found a band online called We Kill Zeman,

and they’re recording an album called When He Leaves the Castle.

And the individual songs are a description of the project.

- You guys are hardcore. - He’s violating the Constitution.

The Constitution clearly says that the president can’t act like a cunt.

- He’s violating it. - He sure is.

But he’s more of a loser than actually dangerous.

Well, we’ll see what we collect and plan things accordingly.

These days the people decide everything.

Good.

- Pavel… - That’s cool.

I was just happy to be there.

It’s just business. They carry out an action, I film it,

the media puts it out, and they gain visibility.

But those guys shouldn’t skimp on their activism.

Thanks.

I’m filming a drone race in June. You might get a kick out of it.

Cool, let me know.

Do they really want to kill Zeman?

Yes, with a sledgehammer.

He’s in the middle of an important game.

Mr. Hoffman’s here.

Ten minutes, Franta.

- Hi. - Good afternoon.

- Something to drink? - No, thanks.

So what should we do with you? I hear you were a chemist in Israel.

- Making what exactly? - Medical drugs.

Excellent. Have a seat.

We consult with two pharmaceutical companies represented in Czechia.

- I could arrange an interview for you. - That’s great.

Of course, it all depends on how you imagine your future.

Pharmaceutics is great. It’s a field that still actually employs people.

The classic jobs that people had 10 or 20 years ago are disappearing fast.

I’m working on something now, Sir, and I’d like to know what you think.

I thought we dropped the formality.

Okay, I’d like to know what you think, Aleš.

- Is this a joke? - No…

Not at all.

Hi, darling.

No, no interruption at all.

I’m in a meeting but it’s nothing important.

I’ll pick up Anička, no problem.

It’s really no problem.

I can’t wait to see you.

- Can I help you? - I’m here to see Eva. - Over there.

- Hi. - Hi. - Sorry, but today is crazy.

The doctor has a rally now, then a press conference, then pollsters.

And our cameraman fell through so we’re floundering a bit.

- I can shoot it for you. - We don’t have a camera or anything.

I have my Canon 600D in the car, it shoots in HD.

Péťa, can we shoot it on a normal camera?

- Sure. - Really? That’s great.

You’re coming with us.

Here.

Thanks.

- Hi… Here’s the data. - Great, thanks.

- He’s with us. - Okay.

You can set up here.

Lord, he’s already talking. Set up fast, he wants us to shoot it all.

We talked about this gathering yesterday,

and my wife said, You know, people don’t believe anything anymore.

You can’t talk to them about anything.

And I said that I didn’t think so, not at all.

Counting today, I’ve had 165…

- 187! - Aha, sorry…

I’ve met with the public 187 times,

and I’ve learned something.

I think I know what people want.

They want the legal system in this country to finally start working.

The Czech legal system is threatened by procedural complexity.

The Czech legal system is mired in bureaucracy.

As a lawyer and future president

I will consistently enforce the right to a fair and speedy trial

because that is a basic right of the citizens of this country.

I will fight so that in certain cases the president will have the right

to speed up litigation.

Justice must be a daily practice.

Let’s build a just society,

a just country for all.

Hello, the name’s Kasl. You have today’s footage?

Yes, I shot it.

Excellent. Will you send us an invoice?

- That’s okay. - Thank you.

- Are you a cameraman? - No, a navigator.

My friend’s company films with drones.

Our last project was on the roof of the Ministry of Industry.

“Pigs at the trough.” Congratulations.

We saw it this morning on the news, we had a good laugh.

- The doctor laughed too. - Really?

Happy to have met you.

Give us a call if you’re interested.

I think I’ll do just that.

How’s it going, young man?

We’re talking about you.

- A fine topic of conversation. - This is Dr. Zavadil, and this is Pavel.

You were filming me. You got very close.

- You were saying important things. - I’m glad you liked it.

- Can I ask you something? - Sure.

Where do you stand on prosecuting war crimes committed abroad?

That depends on what you have in mind.

A lawyer in California is trying to convict Bush Administration officials

for crimes committed at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.

- Think he has a chance? - To prosecute it here? - Yes.

The legal foundation probably exists, we’re signatories to the UN charter.

But that falls under the purview of the public prosecutor.

- I’ll put you in touch with someone. - Really? That’s great, thanks.

Martin, give him Lenka Chrastinovská’s number.

Eva, I still need you today.

- Hi. - Hi.

- Where’d you get the button? - At a rally.

Don’t tell me you’re interested in politics.

I was filming for them.

What?

The rally.

You work for Zavadil?

- He’s a good guy. - Based on what?

You don’t know what you’re talking about. You have no idea what’s going on here.

- What’s going on here? - Do you know who the Prime Minister is?

- Here in the Czech Republic? - Do you know or not?

- Zavadil wants to change things. - No, we do!

So his kind will finally piss off.

Where’ve you been sleeping lately anyway?

My workshop.

You’re squatting at your workshop?

You promised to find an apartment and to start doing something serious.

I talked to Aleš. He says you want to prosecute George Bush.

- It’s an important project. - Yeah?

Now Aleš thinks you’re completely nuts. What an impression you made!

Do you know he’s married? He takes off his wedding ring when you’re around.

- Because I asked him to. - Why?

Listen…

I try to take things step by step.

Slowly but surely I’m helping kids at children’s homes.

We collect money for them and try to change legislation…

Because it’s got to start somewhere.

And Aleš is very helpful.

So you help kids at children’s homes by sleeping with a married father of two.

- Don’t be a jerk. - I bet he contributes

- just because he’s sleeping with you. - Take care of your own sex life, eh?

You’re 30, you squat in a warehouse, and you only know girls in pictures.

Don’t tell me how to live!

Hey there, Plech.

I got a call from Zavadil’s people. They want to hire us. Was that because of you?

Yeah.

- I thought it might be a joke. - No, I arranged it.

- That’s great news. - Really?

Sure, we can milk the good doctor.

- Where are we going anyway? - We’re filming at those coordinates.

- Zavadil’s having a rally in the woods? - No, it’s just a house.

- We’re supposed to shoot it. - From the air?

Yeah, with the drone.

For how much?

It’s not about money, it’s about prestige.

- About what? - Prestige!

He might hook us up with VIPs. He’s the goose that lays golden eggs.

Where are we now?

100 meters from the position.

50…

30…

That’s a fine hacienda.

Prestigious.

Those folks aren’t looking too thrilled about it.

Hey, that’s Sehnal. He’s running for president against Zavadil.

Best to turn around.

Someone’s shooting at us!

We got hit.

Why are they shooting at us?

They shot the propellers.

Pick it up.

Wait…

The gimbal looks okay.

- What’re you doing here with that shit? - You shoot at us? I’ve got a license.

Fuck your license! Just try filming me and I’ll knock you out.

Fucking assholes! Pack up and beat it.

Got all your teeth?

Sure. I blocked the punch.

You think this is funny.

Not everyone’s drone has been shot down.

- You were trained in Israel. - No, I wasn’t. I was scared too.

But you didn’t piss your pants. I did.

I didn’t have to go.

It’s not about whether you have to go or not.

But you pissed yourself.

Because no one ever pointed a shotgun at me before!

You look awesome.

Ignore all the cars if you wanna get knocked down.

Even if the way I play to fully unwind costs me more and more every time,

I gotta close up inside my mind, so I cast shadows of doubt,

gotta leave ‘em behind – my states of mind.

The day is new, the shadows old.

Rhymes can go where light gets cold.

I try to protect the colors while my own shades run.

My shadows disappear from sight only when I face the sun.

The day is new, the shadows old…

Careful here.

Like a beer?

Okay.

You live here?

I can focus on my projects here.

Thanks. What really happened today?

Nothing, a guy shot at the drone. Doesn’t matter.

The gimbal is okay.

So, this is it.

What?

The Big 21.

There’s so much of it, I haven’t read it all yet.

But the upshot is that 20 of Bush’s people should be in jail.

- Who’s number 21? - 21 is Bush.

- For what? - Crimes against humanity.

After September 11, they started putting out internal memos that were in conflict

with international laws on human rights.

They invented a new person that they called an “unlawful combatant.”

And they said that such people weren’t human beings.

Legally they don’t even exist. No laws apply to them.

Not even the Geneva Convention about prisoners of war

because they say they aren’t prisoners of war.

Then they started locking them up.

No trial, no lawyer, no presumption of innocence, no date of release.

And then they tortured them:

waterboarding…

humiliation…

sleep deprivation, sound torture…

forced homosexual intercourse.

Yeah, I’m saying serious things.

And Cheney and Rumsfeld weren’t joking when they signed those orders.

Then when it all came out and really started to stink,

they convicted a couple poor soldiers who worked at those prisons,

then pardoned themselves for something they’d claimed wasn’t a crime.

Sure, but they’re terrorists.

As much as you or me.

Americans still pay informants in Iraq, and the Iraqis inform on each other.

If your neighbor ever bothers you, call them a terrorist.

The Americans will put them on a list, and they’ll simply disappear.

In Tel Aviv, they took the brother of someone I knew – just like that.

- How do you know he wasn’t a terrorist? - He worked at a pizzeria in London.

He came home to visit and they abducted him. That was 10 years ago.

How do you know he wasn’t a terrorist?

Because he had no trial where he could be questioned or judged.

It needs to be translated and verified.

I’m going to need help.

Is this some kind of provocation? Do you work for someone?

- Michael and I are working on it. - Who’s Michael?

Michael Burns, an American lawyer from the Center for Constitutional Rights.

He’s been working on it for 15 years.

Are you serious?

Sorry, but there’s no way I can even look at this stuff.

- Why? - Well, because of the doctor. This would kill him at the polls.

On the contrary, it would send him soaring.

This country would finally stand on the side of justice.

The doctor realizes that we finally need to stand up for someone on the outside.

Did I say something wrong?

When you came to the office I thought you were hitting on me.

You’re an awesome girl…

- and a lawyer. - Yeah, but Bush takes priority.

Listen, Michael has been after them for 15 years.

In Germany they’ve tried to put them on trial twice, in Spain too.

They’ve gotten furthest in France: a Parisian court summoned General Miller

- to testify as a defendant. - And? - He didn’t show up. - What a surprise!

So he broke another law.

Now the Circuit Court for Prague 1 is going to summon George Bush?

- It’s theoretically possible. - You think Bush will come?

I don’t know, but we’ll finally be talking about it.

We’ll finally move beyond just trying local cases.

- You’re a psycho, aren’t you? - Why?

I always pick psychos. Sorry, but I was trying to avoid

sleeping with those jerks at work. They, of course, hit on me.

- So don’t sleep with them. - Does it bug you that I’m flat? - What?

I was born this way, I have to work with what I’ve got.

Like everyone else.

- Is my ass too big? - What? - Tell me.

- What should I say? - That I have a big ass and no tits.

- You have a big ass and no tits. - You’re a jerk! - Why?

Thanks for such an accurate description.

- Can I give you a lift? - No, you cannot.

Hello?

Hello, it’s Pavel. We met on Holešovice bridge.

Yes, and under it. I know.

I’m looking for a certified translator for Arabic.

There are a couple possible people.

Could I get their numbers?

Send me the work and I’ll ask them for you.

- There’s a lot of it. - Doesn’t matter.

Okay then.

Okay then…

How are you doing?

- Been listening to Yanka? - Yeah, a lot.

Her memorial event is coming up. Like to meet there?

Hello…

I need a new one of these or something to replace it.

And maybe some spare propellers and side lights.

Petřín tower will be lit in the colors of the German flag

to express solidarity with the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Berlin.

Fucking Arabs!

Those aren’t regular Arabs. They’re an extreme faction.

Aren’t they Arabs too?

- Yeah, they are. - So, like I said…

Fucking Arabs.

Did you know they used Czech weapons?

- Who? - The assassins.

- Don’t know anything about that. - Now you do.

It’s one thing to make weapons, it’s another to use them.

You think we make weapons for them not to be used?

I’ve got one thing to say:

As a Czech, I’m proud of Semtex.

Really? What else?

Hockey.

Know what? Write me up for this tube as well.

And two cans of red spray paint.

This is from yesterday?

Yep. We shot the house

and had a small run-in. They attacked my friend and damaged the drone.

- Did you report it? - It’s no big deal.

But it’ll take a couple days before we put it back together.

I’ll speak to the doctor, you’ll be compensated.

That’d be great.

- Is that your drone? - No, the company I work for.

- I’m just navigating. - Well, Mr. Navigator…

Bring it down. Right over here.

And you come get in the car.

- Hey there. - Hi.

What’s going on? You look like crap.

I’m good.

But they’ll only release it to you, the owner.

What, the police confiscated the drone?

What’d you do?

Well, what’d you do?

Man, what did you do?

Sign here…

Better look after your “means of production” better.

Next time, there’ll be criminal charges, and not only for him.

For you, too, as the owner.

What did you put on here? Did you spray paint with it?

- Sorry, I feel bad. - Where’s the camera?

In my car at Strahov.

You mean that those terrorists used Czech weapons?

Nice job.

Who helped you?

It was just me.

No way, you couldn’t do it alone.

Hey, I know it was stupid,

but I wanted to see if we could spray with it, like those artists wanted.

Forget those artists. I have another offer.

The motherlode. And working for the doctor probably helped.

- That was my doing. - Exactly. That’s why I’m telling you about this.

- Well? - We can do this job 50-50.

But you gotta cut the crap.

Do like me: I kick ass in concert.

I provoke, I shout it all out, I remember the good old days.

But in the morning I calm down and do my job. I cooperate.

You can’t let your hobby interfere with daily life.

It’s not a hobby. It’s conscience. It’s a desire for justice.

Hell, we all give it different names. But you know what I’m talking about, eh?

- Yes or no? - Okay.

What’s the job?

Hello, this is Pavel. I sent you an email about Bush.

Nobody wrote me back so I decided to call.

I thought maybe you were having me on.

Dr. Zavadil and I disagree about some issues. For example, the law.

I’m in contact with people who have proof.

Fine, we can meet, but I can’t promise much. I have to go now, goodbye.

Who was that?

Public prosecutor. Zavadil gave me her number.

What do they want us to monitor?

Ball bearing heat. Infrared camera.

We have to close in on the center of the propeller, then leave it hovering there.

- Shouldn’t be a problem. - It’s just a test.

If we pass, I think they’ll let us monitor solar power plants.

And that’s the bomb. You can easily make 40,000 a day.

Then you invest the money in land, and in a decade you’ll be living large.

Dude, isn’t money making you crazy? You’ve been obsessing since high school.

The time is coming when it will only, and I mean only, be about money.

I don’t want to be the one without it.

- You can still live cheaply here. - I don’t want to be on the outside.

- I want to share in society’s progress. - As an activist?

As a consumer!

You don’t vote with a ballot anymore, you use a credit card.

You vote for a company by buying its products.

But as a consumer you only carry weight

if you spend sufficient funds on your purchases.

Sorry, but that’s total crap.

You think people keep buying stuff because they need it?

- Sure. - No.

Because they want to comment on things, express their opinion.

At the local level it’s okay to get involved politically.

You can elect quality representatives and keep an eye on them.

But at the global level you vote by buying.

And the richer you are, the more weight you have.

Just accept it.

9 o’clock…

And hold it there.

Let me fly it in closer.

What’s that?

That’s where the bearing is heating up.

- So they have to change it. - Yeah.

Or lube it up…

I’ve considered donating to the doctor’s campaign.

Hold on there once again, droneman. We ain’t working for the good doctor

- because we think he’s a fine fellow. - But he is.

Zavadil is just another douchebag.

You see that?

Those teeth?

That’s a little souvenir from the good doctor.

My dad was one of the last political prisoners sent to work in Ralsko,

- where they mined uranium. - What?

He was sent to Ralsko, where they mine uranium!

In 1977 he was sentenced to five years hard labor.

After he got out, he got married and had a daughter. But she was born without arms.

Because his balls had been irradiated.

You had a sister without arms? I didn’t know.

I was lucky, I just lost some teeth.

Anyway, the judge who sentenced my father was Dr. Zavadil, who we’re working for.

But it didn’t have to be the radiation.

- Could’ve been genetics. - Sure, maybe.

But the fact remains: Zavadil was a communist judge who acted like a swine.

So we’re done.

Done with what?

We’re not gonna work for him since he irradiated your dad.

Not my whole dad! Just his balls got lightly irradiated.

Hey, just forget about it. Fingers crossed for the solar plant.

Got it?

Like a fine old car, I hope that this presidential candidate

will not decline in value over time, but increase.

I hope nothing about me will decline.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Congratulations. - Thanks.

- And you are? - The navigator.

Aha, our pilots. How’s the flying?

What’s that? A workplace injury?

People are wound up. They explode for any reason.

It’s a dramatic time. Something is in the air.

Drones.

- Do you think blood will spill here in the Czech Republic? - What?

- Can I ask you something? - Of course.

Some people think you’re a pretty hard man.

I wouldn’t contradict them.

Some people think you’re even a bit of a swine.

I always defend you but the friend I work with

says that in the 1970s you sentenced his father

to the uranium mines for political reasons.

I wanted to ask if it’s true.

It’s absolute nonsense.

Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Let’s talk about it.

Someone of your caliber should have a clean slate.

Check the cleanliness of your own slate, eh?

But you were a judge. You sentenced people, right?

How’s the copy machine?

- Hey, dude. - Hi there.

- Nice suit. - What’s this meeting?

- With Zavadil. - I know, but about what? - About things we need to go over.

Hello, we have an appointment with Mr. Zavadil.

He’s not here today.

I sent him an email. It’s important.

I said he isn’t here. Didn’t you hear me?

If he’s not here, no problem. We’ll come again.

- Bye. - Wait a sec…

- What’s going on here? - That’s that man.

- Is he in his office? - Stop right there!

- We work for you! We fly drones! - Hey, calm down!

My friend there has destroyed teeth because of the doctor!

He irradiated his father’s balls.

What are you saying!

Dude, show them your teeth!

I’m not going to chase you!

Let’s go!

What’re you looking for?

My car.

To the left…

Now 1:30.

This way.

That’s oil!

I have water someplace.

- Is that it? - Yeah.

What was that in there?

I entered into negotiations with the doctor regarding your case.

You talked to him about my dad?

He should pay reparations and apologize.

You’re an idiot! I didn’t tell you so you’d get involved!

But we’re friends.

People like him run things.

For 40 years. Get it? And the main thing is he’s the golden goose!

- But that goose lays no golden eggs. - Yes, he does!

- We got the solar plant job. - Really?

But I can’t say to him that he irradiated my father’s balls.

You don’t fight such a bastard head on.

You have to bide your time

and wait till you needs you.

And now he needs me.

Great, what’s the assignment?

Nothing for you. You’re done.

We fly together!

Pavel, you’re done.

- Here’s everything. - Already translated?

Like you wanted, right?

Must cost a fortune. How much do I owe you?

No worries, it was translation barter: I’ll do Russian for them.

I owe you.

- Hi. - Hi.

- Is Miša here already? - Yes, come in.

- Hi. - Hi.

Thank you.

Once again, good evening.

We all know why we’re here today, but allow me to remind you.

It’s the anniversary of the death of Yanka Dyagileva,

legendary Siberian singer and poet.

She died on May 9, 1991, and we still don’t know how.

28 years have passed since then.

Yanka left us 28 compositions that she played at apartment concerts like this.

As long as her songs are heard, Yanka will be with us.

What? What is it?

You were dreaming.

I wanted to do it as soon as I saw you on that bridge.

- Do what? - Sleep with you.

- Did you know? - Did I know now?

- I guess you knew now. - Yes, I did.

But did you know on the bridge?

I don’t think so.

I read a few of the translated testimonies and I think I can help you.

Since I don’t have kids.

No one will feel sorry when they lock us up.

That’s how it is for people who went to war.

- But I’m not going to war. - Yeah…

Sure.

You have kids?

No.

Do you want any?

You do, but not today.

You’re really great, but I have to focus on this now.

No worries.

When I was young I loved those 19th-century Russian terrorists.

They were called Narodnaya Volya.

They wanted to reform Russia, so they went to stay in a village.

But the filth, stench, bedbugs, and ordinary people got to them.

So they returned to St. Petersburg,

bought some dynamite, and started blowing up corrupt officials and judges.

Finally they got Czar Alexander II, and that was that.

I remember asking my mother,

why doesn’t anyone blow Gustáv Husák sky high?

I nearly put my mom on tranquilizers.

And today, Arabs kill ordinary people in restaurants. Disgusting.

Who should they kill?

Bush, right?

You know I’m joking, right?

Yeah, I know.

By the way, Cheney is coming to Prague.

How do you know?

A friend interprets at the American Embassy, and she was just vetted.

They reserved the entire top floor of the Mandarin hotel.

The Anglo-American system has a different legal culture.

The American is more pragmatic.

It seeks out objectives more than it searches for truth.

For example, the Americans believe a criminal act may be tolerated

if we thereby prevent an even worse criminal act.

Nothing like this exists in European law.

We believe that such a compromise devalues the law

even if it achieves better results.

And that goes for “lost causes” too.

The practice in the Anglo-American world is to leave such cases alone

because trying them would be ineffective.

But Czech law takes up such cases,

believing that the search for truth is more important than the outcome.

Perhaps the European or Czech conception of the law is somewhat romantic.

And I’m glad that it is.

Thank you.

- Hello. - Hello.

- I’m Pavel. - Ah, yes. I’m Lenka.

I brought the rest of the translations from German and Arabic.

Perhaps you haven’t had time to read them.

- I have read them. - What did you think?

From what I read it seems clear that there is a tangible reason to open a hearing.

- Really? - Yes.

The case is absolutely real, unfortunately.

Why “unfortunately”?

You know, a suit could be filed here. I even think it should be.

I understand why you want to become involved.

- Yes, I want to become involved. - I know.

It seems crystal clear.

- But it will never happen. - Why?

Because it’s all very difficult to prove.

- But here’s the proof. - Yes, of course.

But the proof needed to open legal proceedings in the Czech Republic

must be found by the Czech police.

Or a foreign judicial body.

In America that would be the Department of Justice.

But they won’t work with us because amnesty was granted in that case.

- What about Germany or Spain? - Exactly.

We’d have to have all this verified by the German, Spanish, and French courts.

That’s years of correspondence with an uncertain outcome.

- But that’d get us back on the map. - I completely agree.

But in the next few years we’ll be happy to preserve our parliamentary democracy.

A battle is now being waged over the Czech judiciary.

That’s what’s occupying honest people in the judiciary and legal professions.

You said we had good laws and that our courts seek the truth.

Yes, but they seek it here at home.

We haven’t advanced to the point of standing up for people abroad.

It’s impossible here.

What Michael Burns did, and why he likely went straight to heaven,

goes beyond the capacity and mental horizon of local people,

judges not excepted.

- What do you think I should do? - There is one possibility.

Collect money and send it abroad to organizations who deal with this.

Again, it all comes down to money.

Would you take the case if I handed you 10 million crowns?

No. It’s not about money.

A Czech court would never take it up.

And I’m leaving the prosecutor’s office in a month. But keep that to yourself.

Not enough.

Hi.

We agreed that I’d come over.

- Sorry, I spaced it out. - Doesn’t matter.

- I’m just glad you’re here. - I’m always here.

- It’s good to see you. Sit. - Thanks.

Look what I dug up.

Prague, 2000.

Who’s that?

You.

It is! That’s how you looked.

I was so bummed out that I couldn’t go with you guys.

Later I showed everyone and said, Hey, that’s my cousin!

The one with the cobblestone flying over his head.

I brought that for you.

Thanks.

- How’s it going? How’s your sister? - Good.

She’s working at a children’s home.

- She got any kids? - No. - No kids…

She was always more into charity work.

What about you? I heard you were in Germany.

Israel.

I came to suggest a joint project.

I’d really like to work with you.

I’m a chemist, so I know how to make various things.

I also fly drones.

And I’m very precise.

Nice.

Like a beer?

The same people are sitting there that you protested against 15 years ago.

Sitting where?

On the boards of corporations, at the US Department of Homeland Security.

Let them sit there.

Dick Cheney is coming to Prague.

Really? So what?

You protested against Iraq too.

- And Cheney is responsible for Iraq. - Rumsfeld too.

Those two convinced Bush that Al Qaeda is connected to Iraq.

That it had atomic and chemical weapons. When it turned out neither was true

they set up a camp at Abu Ghraib and turned innocent people into "terrorists"

in order to support the idea that it’s about fighting terrorism.

I can tell you’re really into it.

Forget about the fact that Cheney was the head of Halliburton,

- which completely rebuilt Iraq. - That’s not against the law.

But it should be! Halliburton’s annual revenue is $20 billion,

all government contracts.

And everything’s so secret – the US tax office can’t even audit them, dammit!

Bára, what are you doing there?

Listen, demonstrating in the streets is dead.

It does no good to go shout on the square

because so many idiots did that before you. Mostly for bullshit reasons.

Demonstrating has been discredited.

- Cheers. - What about direct action?

I’m too old to throw cobblestones at people.

I mean something more than cobblestones.

No one here has the balls for that.

I shut it all down. I don’t read the paper, I don’t talk politics.

Dialogue gives the system momentum, talking just increases its importance.

That means: don’t listen to the news,

don’t talk about newspaper articles, even “serious” papers.

Don’t put money in the bank. Don’t even talk about money.

- But you use gasoline, don’t you? - Of course I fucking use gasoline!

I can’t live completely cut off. But I don’t send the girls to school.

They don’t have iPads or TV… They’ve never been to the movies.

I homeschool them and it works.

According to you, nothing fundamental is happening.

But it is. What I’m doing is fundamental.

Take this.

So then where’s the dividing line?

Here.

Here’s where that line is… Cowboy.

- Hey, Pavel. - Hi.

You have a new car.

A little present for myself.

You “voted.”

What’s new?

I need some advice about buying a drone.

- Well, well… - Minimum load 500 g.

- Are you my competition? - Don’t worry.

What camera will you use?

No camera.

What then?

Something that weighs 500 g.

Fine, but I asked what.

Hey, I’m selling an S550. It’ll carry a kilo.

Sounds good, but I need two of them.

Test over.

Hello, can I help you?

No thanks.

I’m just looking around.

Hey there, dude! Should’ve told me, I’d have left it open.

- A drone caught fire? - Yeah.

What’s all this bullshit?

The goose lays golden eggs.

- What’s this about? - A humanitarian project.

If people start blowing each other up it’ll be civil war. You want that?

- The war has already started. - Bullshit, there’s no war.

If we start shooting each other everything will go to hell.

Turn on the tap and there’s no water. Go to the gas station and there’s no gas.

Go to the pharmacy and it’s closed.

Food shortages, and you’ll die in the street.

- All comfort will be gone. - Yeah.

Pavel, promise me you won’t do anything stupid.

Define stupid.

Define stupid!

Everyone knows we worked together, they’ll come after me!

They’ll lock me up, take my apartment, my license… I’ll be screwed again!

- Dude, don’t worry. - Don’t worry? I am worried!

Hey…

I’m doing this luxury fashion show.

Purses on drones, lots of rich people in public.

- It could be our breakthrough. - Who’s on the drones?

Just normal purses.

We’ll be partners again.

Plech, you’re a wonderful person.

But you’re a psycho!

You’re psycho.

- Hi. - Hi.

You got a summons.

You’re not mixed up in anything, are you?

No…

Must be because I graffitied Petřín tower.

You can live here if you want.

Did something happen?

Aleš and I broke up. You’re right, he’s a jerk.

And he stopped donating to our cause, so it was because of the sex.

Makes me feel lousy.

- Are you pregnant? - Not lousy like that.

And you?

- I stopped working for Zavadil. - Well, that’s progress!

And I’ve been studying up on people in our government.

- Which people? - Ministry people.

Go ahead, ask me who they are.

- Doesn’t matter. - Go on, ask.

- Okay, who’s the Minister of Justice? - Marie Benešová.

Good.

- Interior minister? - Jan Hamáček.

- Culture? - Antonín Staněk. - Nice one.

The Prime Minister is Andrej Babiš.

A Slovak.

- Good, huh? - Fabulous.

- Pretty damn good, huh? - Yep. Come here.

I deserve praise?

- I scored points! - I love you.

Are any Americans coming to Prague soon?

Not Madonna! An American politician.

I’m just interested, that’s all.

How can I find out?

The internet… Thanks a lot.

Bye!

Hello?

Hey there.

Oh, man!

Sorry.

A JUST SOCIETY

He’s here.

He’s driving up to the hotel.

He’s exiting the car.

He’s approaching the door.

He’s on the tower.

No entry!

- It’s spray paint. Just spray paint. - Oh man, Pavel…

What a show! You’re gonna be on CNN!

That’s not what I want.

I thought you really wanted to take him out. But you didn’t, right?

I couldn’t do it.

Oh, man…

It’s so hard.

He’s an old man.

No way I’m killing an old man.

But I was this close to him.

Just don’t tell anyone.

It was a happening. A joke.

There’ll be a media shit storm then it’ll die down.

I’ll take care of it, Pavel!

- Hold on… - Get down on the ground! - I reported it.

Pavel, it’s gonna be okay!

Police! Stop in the name of the law!

It was a happening!

Police! Hands behind your head!

Halt!

- He’s got explosives in his hand! - Drop it!

Drop it or we’ll shoot!

- Pavel! - Get in the car, move! - Pavel...!