Original subtitles

BURNING BUSH PART 2

Prague, February 25, 1969. Five weeks after Jan Palach's death.

-What are you looking for? -I'm meeting a friend. Franta Novak.

Novak, Novak... The one from the hardware store?

Yeah, that's him.

You need to go there, through that open door.

Thank you.

HYDROCHLORlC AClD

To the Citizens of the Czechoslovak Republic

The basic dialects in the Archaic Period were Doric, Aeolic and lonic.

Most of the heroic epics were written in lonic.

Typically used by Homer.

Come in.

Come in.

Yes?

What can I do for you, my friend?

I'm here to see Ondrej Travnicek.

This is from Jan Zajic.

Who?

Good bye...

Wait!

His name is Jan Zajic. He goes to the Technical School in Sumperk.

They describe him as a quiet, decent boy, who causes no trouble.

I don't care. Our orders are to find out who else is in Palach's group.

The minister is waiting.

Is this how you follow orders?

Comrade Colonel, Zajic probably didn't know Palach at all.

Come on!

We found his name in a police record from January 19th.

A patrol from Krakovska Street arrested him on Wenceslas Square.

They were holding a hunger strike in support of Palach's demands.

A lot of students went on hunger strike. I spoke to many of them.

There is no evidence that Palach's group even exists.

So the group doesn't exist, yet people are immolating themselves.

If he weren't a member of the group...

he would not have called himself "Torch number two".

He sympathized with Palach. He wanted to support him.

I hope you understand how lucky we were.

If he had made it to the street, we'd have another Palach on our hands.

We have to deny any connection to Palach.

There is no group!

... a young man burned himself to death near Wenceslas Square.

He was found dead at the scene.

Good morning.

According to the Prague police department, the body belongs to...

Good morning.

... J. Z., a high school student from Sumperk.

Jesus Christ, what did he think he was doing? Idiot.

Idiot? Why? Because he didn't give up?

What do you want to do?!

Pour gasoline on yourselves and kill yourselves like Palach or this kid?

-Palach's death wasn't a suicide! -No? What do you call it then?!

Vladimir...

You have no survival instinct!

Your whole generation has none! Even animals have it, but not you!

Vladimir, you can't be serious!

Unlike you, I don't know what our generation has or doesn't have.

But I think the one thing that does separate us from the animals...

is that we can sometimes overcome your "survival instinct"!

With gasoline and matches.

OK, it may sound heroic to you, but when you have your own kids...

If my Vladka killed herself for some stupid political cause...

I'd never forgive her.

Comrade Chairman...

I need the new directives they sent from headquarters.

Here.

Work and honor, comrades.

Good bye.

That was Mrs. Palachova in the hallway on Monday, wasn't it?

Yes.

You wouldn't tell me why she was here, would you?

It was nothing important.

Does this hurt?

And here?

I think you're lying, hero!

When can I go home?

When it stops hurting.

All right, good night.

I don't like this. Is he eating OK?

He didn't want breakfast, but he ate some soup at noon.

Take a blood sample from him tomorrow, OK?

And make me a cup of coffee.

Doctor. Your wife is waiting downstairs.

OK, cancel the coffee.

Nurse, go to number two.

Good bye, thank you.

How did you get my mom to babysit?

She was happy to do it.

My mom?

You're terrible...

Cheers.

So how is it?

Red.

You will surely agree that this song is becoming unbearably boring.

Radim, I decided to represent the Palach family.

Wait a second. Didn't you say you had refused the case?

Imagine yourself in their shoes. Wouldn't you take a stand?

Dagmar, I don't want to sound mean but I think the Palachs

had no choice but to file a law suit.

Otherwise they'd have to admit that their Jan probably wasn't sane.

That he "probably wasn't sane"? What do you mean by that?

That he was pretty messed up in the head.

That may be, but no one has the right to say he collaborated

with western spies and poured harmless chemicals on himself.

Who do you want to sue for this?

The Communist Party? The government?

Vilem Novy.

Do you even know who that man is?

Of course I know. I read the newspapers too.

It doesn't seem like it.

Are we going to insult each other?

Dagmar please, explain to me what you hope to achieve?

Which court in this country will side with you?

As a doctor, do you only accept cases that can't go wrong?

God damn it, Dagmar, are you kidding?

The Russians aren't going to leave here anytime soon.

With this case, you're going straight up against them.

If you can't think about yourself, think about our girls!

That's exactly what I'm doing.

Jesus Christ!

I'm sorry, I need some fresh air.

-Here. -Thank you.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Thank you.

As you can see, you've survived it with no consequences.

Are you still mad?

I can't sleep.

Dagmar, I know you think it's your duty.

But Palach didn't ask anybody.

Neither did the other kid. He didn't ask his parents, his friends, or us.

We don't owe them anything.

I'm not doing it for them...

or their parents.

But if you say no, then...

I won't do it.

So am I to decide for both of us?

We keep telling the girls that it's bad to lie...

that it's bad to cheat, that they should be good...

But we don't even believe it ourselves any more.

Come here.

Hello Ondrej, this is Mrs. Buresova.

Sorry to bother you,

I just want to know if the Palachs have found a lawyer yet?

Could you give me their phone number?

In the end, yes.

I know. And I hope you won't try to talk me out of it.

Wait...

Go ahead.

Thank you.

Well, good bye.

It's important, don't you get it?

We might be the only newspaper to print that letter!

Screw you!

Yeah, I understand. Bye.

We can't publish it. Orders from above.

What are we supposed to do then?

Do you have that letter? Give it to me.

Milk...

What is it?

It was here somewhere...

Are you kidding me, man?!

I said it was here!

Well, where the hell is it then?!

I don't know.

Where? Here? Here? Or here?

What are you doing? Those are my papers!

You mean your mess!

Who do you think you are?!

Easy, easy, easy!

What the hell is going on?

Go ahead and tell her.

He lost Zajic's letter!

Our mimeograph broke down.

So I took it to my dad's office to make copies...

Couldn't you have said something?

I'll take one.

Maybe we'll figure something out in the editorial office.

Bye.

Sorry.

Fuck!

Come on, come on, hurry up!

It's the cops. Come on, run!

Freeze!

Stop in the name of the law!

One more thing, Pavel.

Get me all the newspapers from February 21st.

We need to know everything about the meeting in Ceska Lipa,

especially about Novy's speech.

I'll be back by lunch!

Do you think he's in love with you?

Are you jealous?

Oh, please!

At yesterday's pre-election meeting in Ceska Lipa

a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Novy,

stated that, according to the results of a police investigation,

the burning of Jan Palach was an act

of extremist right-wing forces.

According to Novy, the board of the Student Movement,

Ied by Ondrej Travnicek, also cooperated with these forces.

Together they convinced Jan Palach to fake his immolation,

using so-called "cold fire".

This harmless liquid, used by circus performers,

was replaced by real gasoline just before the act,

which in the end caused his fatal burns.

-Mlada fronta? -Yeah.

Similar articles are in Prace and Lidova demokracie.

I found something else in the library.

-Pavel! -Sorry.

Here.

A journal.

This Novy guy was a journalist.

And a pretty good one.

Do you know what he did during the war?

Was he in Fucik's Resistance?

He went to Britain with Jan Masaryk.

He was an editor at the BBC.

Impressive, for a devoted Stalinist, right?

Was the hall full during the meeting?

I don't know, I was off duty.

Did you hear anything?

I don't care about politics.

Where can we find your colleague who was on duty?

Probably at home.

Do you know how many beers I pour in a night?

Hello.

Plus the food. One orders meatloaf, the other goulash...

Even after the meeting, you didn't notice anything?

I did... People started to drink more.

I meant regarding Novy.

He was scared shitless.

He and his comrades wouldn't dare come out of the hall.

Alena! The little one is crying!

Why wouldn't they come out?

Why? They were afraid of getting their asses kicked.

People were waiting for them in the street.

Did you recognize any of them?

When I wait on a thousand people...

Do you think I have time to look around?

-Damn it, Alena are you deaf?! -I'm coming.

Thank you very much.

Are you hungry?

And you?

I'll have the Viennese roast beef with...

I am out of it.

In that case I'll have the stuffed pepper.

I see.

Meatloaf.

With potatoes.

Coffee. Turkish. Thanks.

-Will you excuse me? -Of course.

Excuse me, do you have a light?

Here he is.

This is Comrade Hazura, Frantisek Jasny.

-Hazura, nice to meet you. -Jasny.

Are you from Rude pravo, too?

New blood from the Party.

Excellent! "The young shall lead!"

Comrade Hazura here...

There's no need to call me "Comrade Hazura"...

Call me Tony.

Anthony was at the meeting with Comrade Novy.

Really?

Of course I was there, I'm the secretary.

Judging by your accent I thought...

My kids moved me here after I retired.

Before that I worked in the coal mines all my life.

They say the meeting was all about Jan Palach.

Someone had to say out loud what really happened to that kid!

Did Comrade Novy bring that topic up himself?

He had it all prepared. Including materials from the minister.

You saw them?

-No, but he told us about them. -I see.

And what was his personal opinion on the matter?

Well, that the kid was manipulated.

Oh, it's getting late.

I have to go pick up my grandson from kindergarten.

I forgot him yesterday, he cried there for an hour

and my daughter-in-law gave me hell for it!

Check, please.

I'm impressed.

How did you find him?

A woman's intuition.

Enjoy your meal.

Thank you.

Mrs. Buresova?

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to scare you.

Thank you.

This...

Someone posted these up all over the city.

All mimeograph machines are registered.

It was printed in your office.

Our office?

Be more careful.

Thank you.

You are going to have enough trouble as it is.

-Do you know the judge? -No.

She was forced to take the case. None of the judges wanted to take it.

Hold this please.

A bag, quickly.

Next time tie its legs.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I took two semesters of veterinary medicine.

Your Honor, we filed the lawsuit three weeks ago,

but Mr. Novy still hasn't accepted it.

I've only been on the case since Monday.

I will handle it immediately.

Also I'd like to suggest...

Since the cases of Mrs. Palachova and Mr. Travnicek are similar,

I suggest that we go over them both together.

Let's hope it'll speed things up.

I am deeply sorry, friends.

There is a detour in Zitna Street because of a broken pipe.

Have you decided anything yet?

I proposed combining the two lawsuits.

Excellent.

Here's my client's statement.

We propose that both cases be dismissed.

The meeting in Ceska Lipa was run by the Communist National Front

and Comrade Novy appeared there as a representative.

Therefore this is not a case that can be decided in a civil court.

I would be happy if we combine the two lawsuits.

At least we'll save the court paperwork with their dismissal.

Pavlina, can you make me a cup, too?

-Certainly. -Good girl.

Very interesting.

However, the Supreme Court recently ruled that,

according to Article 11 relating to libel and defamation,

suits of this nature are to be tried only in civil court.

I'm very impressed, my colleague.

So what are you suggesting?

We could start with your client accepting the court's summons.

He is, of course, not avoiding it.

But he's currently out of the country.

Sugar?

Oh, really?

Yesterday, he was at a meeting of the Communist Central Committee.

He even gave a speech.

Naturally, he couldn't miss such an important meeting.

Your Honor, we suggest the legal action be delivered by messenger

at the plenary session of the Communist Central Committee.

On April 17th at Prague Castle.

Isn't this a little over the top?

Let's not overdramatize this, my colleague.

We also request, Your Honor,

that the court secure the presence of the defendant at future proceedings.

Anything else?

No, that'll be it from us.

I still don't quite understand the accusation.

You don't have anything except for a few newspaper articles.

Those journalists could have made it all up, right?

Or not. Right?

-Good bye. -Good bye.

That was close. You need some witnesses.

What about those journalists?

The only ones at the meeting were from Mlada fronta and Prace.

Then find them.

Thank you.

-Convince them to come to court. -OK.

Yes, you heard me, tomorrow!

You're going to have to look elsewhere.

But Mr. Jicinsky did a report on that meeting.

Mr. Jicinsky went to visit relatives in Munich a month ago

and a week later he was reading the news on Radio Free Europe.

This coffee thermos is the only thing he left here.

Do you want some?

Did you do a report on that meeting?

I do a lot of reports.

How many of them in Ceska Lipa?

Good point. You scored one.

Novy will insist that you journalists have twisted his statements.

How do you know what he will say?

That's what I would say if I were in his shoes.

Me too.

Did I score another one?

2:1.

Mr. Pavlovsky...

your testimony is crucial to our case.

Not many men ever say "no" to you, am I right?

Novy is a bastard. I'll be glad to help you.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

-See you later. -Bye.

The sleeves could have been a bit longer, right?

-They are just right. -Really?

Sure. Your mother knows you perfectly.

She also sent me a pair of cool green stockings...

They're all the rage in the West now.

At least you'll look good on the barricades.

Why are you always provoking me?

What is a strike good for now? What?

And what is a lawsuit against Novy good for?

You'll only give them an excuse to expel you from school.

-So you want us to shit our pants? -Vladka!

Your Dad is right, you need to control yourselves.

Do you see these calluses? They're from controlling myself.

Can I have your keys? I need to use the bathroom.

-The blue one. -As usual.

She's getting more and more like her mother.

How is Romana doing, anyway?

-ls she still with that photographer? -I don't know.

I haven't heard from her in three months.

Wait, I thought...

You mean that?

My brother-in-law went on a business trip to Rome, I asked him to send it.

Hello. Excuse me, ma'am.

Come see me for a moment when you're done.

-Certainly. -Thank you.

Maybe she's finally in Verona. That's what she always wanted.

Just a moment. Your wait will soon be over.

Wow! I'll come back later.

No, no, no, don't go anywhere.

It'll just be a moment. Little monster.

I really can come back later, doctor.

No, no, don't go. I'll catch them right away.

Where did they go? Never mind, I'll catch them later.

What was it you needed?

Actually, you needed something from me.

I did?

Oh yes, sorry, yes, yes, yes.

Just a minute.

What is it?

I think this will definitely interest you.

But... you never got it from me.

Doctor...

the meeting with engineer Maiernik has been postponed to 4 pm.

Thank you, I'll be there.

I think this may help clear a few things up for you.

-Can l? -Of course.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Are you going to sleep here tonight?

Close the door!

What is that?

Vilem Novy's prison record.

He was in jail?

They arrested him in 1949.

He served 5 years.

-He was almost hanged. -What for?

Practically nothing.

There were purges in the Party and comrades needed to induce fear.

They took advantage of the fact that Novy was in England during the war

and called him a Western agent.

Do you know how he escaped the rope?

He agreed to cooperate with the KGB.

And suddenly he has a theory about "cold fire" and Western espionage.

This will completely destroy him.

You want to use this in court?

If need be...

I am sorry to interrupt.

Vladka got tickets to Reduta for tonight.

Would you and Radim like to join us?

-When does it start? -At nine.

-Pavel, are you busy tonight? -No.

Then... can you babysit our girls?

Well... I guess so.

You're a gem. Wait, I'll call Radim.

I told you we should have called first.

Maybe she's in the garden, I'll take a look.

Hello, Mrs. Palachova. I'm Major Jires, Lieutenant...

... Bocek, from the police.

Can we talk with you?

Excuse me, I'm dizzy. I need to sit down. Please.

Of course, thanks.

Mrs. Palachova...

The investigation of your son's suicide has been completed.

We brought you his personal belongings.

You have to sign for the delivery.

This is separate.

So... one woolen scarf, brown.

A pair of men's leather gloves...

a well-worn beret, black, holes on both sides.

Here is a...

one worn-out toothbrush...

one plastic hairbrush...

and a plain pocketknife, a so-called "fish".

Are you okay, Mrs. Palachova? Can we help you?

I have to take my pill.

Just sit down, I'll get it.

It's in the bedroom, under...

above the mirror, no under the mirror.

-Okay. -Thank you.

I'll go get it myself, I guess... I don't know.

Just wait a moment.

Got it.

-What did you do in there? -Where?

Jarda, I can't find the flyers our guys brought from the city.

Our lawyer wants to see them, to see if they can be used in court...

Do you know where they are?

Well, let's go, I'd like to get to Prague by five.

You can't be serious, Your Honor!

You've been delivering the summons to Mr. Novy for two months now!

Do you think you'll ever manage to get it to him? Excuse me!

All right, I've got to go.

This man must live and sleep somewhere.

He can't be that hard to find!

I've sent the summons to him three times already.

I don't know what else to do.

I warned you that my client, Comrade Novy, is very busy.

I'm going to file a complaint about your handling of this case.

It's not easy for you, is it?

Ma'am!

Novy's summons. It includes his address.

Thank you.

Excuse me. I am looking for Vilem Novy.

Over there.

Can I help you?

I am looking for Vilem Novy.

Do svidaniya.

Who am I speaking to?

-Dagmar Buresova. -Nice to meet you.

Mrs. Palachova is suing you for libel.

I am her attorney. Your signature here, please.

Who is the pretty gal?

Invite her in!

The lady is leaving.

See you in court.

"See you"?

-What did she say? -Nothing.

Comrade General...

Officers...

Salut!

Can I help you with that?

Thank you.

Your son was brave.

Excuse me.

I put a new one here every two weeks.

I know.

I am from the cemetery office.

Unfortunately, all sorts of weirdoes come here.

They climb over the wall at night

and meet by Jan's grave.

You wouldn't believe the things we find here sometimes.

I'll bring a new one. With stronger glass, they resist more.

Hello?

This is Palachova.

Hello.

Hello!

-I don't want it. -Good bye.

One Kofila bar.

Exact change, thank you.

Sir, sir. Sir, you left your...

Are you OK?

Come sit here...

Over there...

No, please don't...

August 21,1969. First anniversary of the lnvasion of Czechoslovakia.

7 months after the death of Jan Palach.

The Department of the lnterior has taken special precautions

due to the first anniversary of the arrival of Warsaw Pact troops.

Members of the committee strongly suggest...

"There are barricades, people are throwing stones. I request backup!"

You're wearing it on the wrong side.

... and mass rallies are prohibited.

Any such rallies will be suppressed in accordance

with the lnterior Ministry's "Special Order No. 67"

on combating internal enemies.

You have postponed it for the fourth time!

Last time, Novy was in Cuba, now he is somewhere in lran.

Couldn't the comrades do without him for a while?

What am I supposed to do? Drag him here by force?!

Why not!

Damn!

Shit!

Leave us alone! Let her go!

Gestapo! Gestapo!

Fascists! Fascists!

-Tereza! -Come inside!

Go through the courtyard!

Go through the courtyard! Go to the back.

Where does it hurt?

Can you move your leg?

Try to straighten it.

It's not broken. Come, try to get up.

Wait, be careful.

We should take her to the hospital, it could be a concussion.

No, no, no, not the hospital. I'm all right.

Nurse!

-Are there many more? -Yes.

Doctor, we're running out of disinfectant.

There should be some in the storeroom.

This one might have a concussion.

Nurse!

Where does it hurt?

What's going on?! Show me a search warrant!

Where are you taking that? You have no right... Give it back!

Mr. Travnicek, they're only doing their job.

What is it?

The Student Movement has been banned.

Did you let them in?

Come on. Let's go!

Come on! Move it!

List of Detainees

This is Bocek.

There is someone here you might be interested in, Comrade Major.

While the vast majority of workers did not take part in any mayhem,

a few disruptive elements did manage to cause trouble.

When we look at the unintelligent faces of those who took advantage

of the anniversary to plunder shops

and to attack members of the police...

Here you go.

Let me see that "unintelligent face".

Good, no need for stitches.

No? Thank God.

Let me see.

There were no Russians there, Radim.

Only Czechs.

They beat up their own people.

Thank you.

Who would have thought it about her.

She looks like this fragile thing

and there she is throwing rocks at comrades.

One got 38 stitches to his face.

Nobody in that crowd could know who threw what.

I call you in good faith.

And you start pulling your juridical tricks.

But since you are a lawyer...

this could interest you.

The Federal Assembly approved a new law this afternoon.

The maximum penalty for assaulting a public servant

has been increased by a half.

An employee can be fired immediately...

and a student...

can be suspended without further investigation.

Vladka is a good girl...

That's possible. But at least three of our comrades

identified your daughter in that crowd.

Drink your coffee. It's terrible when it gets cold.

What does this mean for us?

What does this mean for you?

Charouzova!

-Which one is it? -Me.

-Come on. -lt'll be all right.

Stay here!

Let's go.

But...? What is this?!

Sign here!

No!

Quickly, miss, you're not the only one here!

-Vladka, don't be stupid! -No.

-Where does she sign? -Here.

Give it here!

What's going on?

Take this, get out of here!

Leave me alone! What do you think you are doing?

We'll talk about it at home.

-I am not going anywhere with you! -I said we're going!

You are a bloody coward!

Vladka! Vladka!

Mother a whore, daughter a freedom fighter. A real tearjerker!

Shut up!

Excuse me?

Don't you know how to behave in the presence of your superior?

-I'm sorry, it just amused me. -All right, at ease.

Next time watch your mouth.

Good evening, Comrade Major.

Hi, Jarda.

-What did he want? -Nothing, he brought some papers.

Mrs. Vankova, no need to clean the stairs.

But it's a mess.

I have made myself clear, do not clean the stairs!

Finally. We have a date. The first hearing is Tuesday.

Does Mrs. Palachova know yet?

No, it came a moment ago.

Is anything wrong?

No, no.

Really, everything is all right.

Just so you know.

Two more nights here and then it's back to mom. Go to sleep.

Ms. Lukesova.

I'm sorry to bother you.

Is something wrong?

No, nothing to worry about.

Could we talk for five minutes?

Now?

Your shift ends in a moment.

I could give you a lift home if you'd like.

It's a long way.

I'll wait in the parking lot. Thank you.

-Enjoy your vacation, Comrade Major. -Thank you.

Damn!

-What? -I don't know.

Come, take the wheel. I'll try to push start it.

They're still there...

Come to bed.

Come on.