Original subtitles

BURNlNG BUSH PART 3

Prague, summer, 1969. 8 months after the death of Jan Palach.

Comrade Minister doesn't want needless publicity.

-The Palach affair was too much. -What can I do, the trial is public.

You will manage somehow.

Comrade Secretary called, asking if he left his glasses here.

See if you can find them.

Comrade Reznickova, you must honor the trust put in you.

If you don't, you can say goodbye to Prague.

There's a shortage of judges in North Moravia, if you know what I mean.

I do.

I thought there would be no trial.

-You didn't get the summons? -No.

The trial is tomorrow.

The witnesses will testify at 2 pm. It would be nice if you came earlier.

Here.

-You look tired. Problems? -Not really.

-You are not a good liar. -Can I count on you?

And now, the truth.

How many witnesses like me do you have?

I see.

But I can't miss the chance to act as a witness for such a pretty lawyer.

Ilonka made soup for you. I'll ask the nurse to warm it up.

You must eat, mom.

Alice has started to talk a lot. She keeps saying "Grandma, Grandma".

She misses you. We all do.

He wrote four of them, did you know?

Four of what?

Four letters. And not a single line for me.

Why didn't he say goodbye to me? He didn't even leave a word for me.

Jan loved you, mom.

He left me here, all alone.

Mr. Palach...

If you want, the trial can be postponed.

-As soon as your mother is better... -Then what?

What will happen when she gets better?

What will change? In half a year? A year? What will be different?

We have lost everything, do you understand? Do you?

-Mr. Palach... -Don't Mr. Palach me!

You know nothing about this, don't tell me what will change.

Hello.

Hello.

Despite all the insults, I insisted that they examine our lvan again.

Comrade Doctor here told me

that he is not keen on treating kids of collaborationist pigs.

What?! You must be joking!

We spoke, but it was a standard conversation!

Well, maybe you consider that standard.

-I'm sorry, I won't listen to this. -Comrade Doctor...

Nurse!

Do you have anything to say about the accusation of Dr. Bures?

It's all on the record...

So repeat it for us. For Dr. Bures.

I was there when Comrade Doctor offended Comrade Brazdova.

Do you remember the date?

-About... August 20th. -How can you lie like this?!

OK, thank you.

Goodbye.

-Thank you. Goodbye. -Thank you.

You're not even worthy of a goodbye.

What will you do now, Comrade Doctor?

Maybe we could settle this, Comrade Director, within our department.

Have the disciplinary board meet, and let me know how it works out.

Goodbye.

-Good evening. -Good evening.

Dr. Janda! A letter from the Supreme Court for you.

-Here. -Thank you.

-And sign here. -I'm not a doctor yet.

But you will be soon.

Good evening.

-Good evening. -Were you in our office?

-No. -But I locked the door.

It was probably Dagmar.

What if they fire you?

My boss will help me.

It's my fault.

I shouldn't have taken that case.

Mrs. Palachova is in an asylum, you have to face a disciplinary board,

and cops are stationed in front of our house!

Radim! Radim. Radim.

Good evening, sirs. Can we chat a bit? Just a bit.

Or are you here just to watch? Talking is someone else's job?

Please, stop it.

Good evening! Come here for a chat! We're just chatting here. Come on...

I am sorry...

What? Nothing. So... have a nice evening.

Stop it.

There's a new waitress in the pub at the corner.

Beautiful...

-Good morning. -Good morning.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

He made a funny face.

-Thanks. -You're welcome.

How's your mother?

They may let her come home by the end of the week.

I got a note from the management of the graveyard.

I have to go there today, because of Jan's grave.

Did they give you a reason?

Don't hesitate to call if you need me.

-I didn't know you do volunteer work! -Yeah! We want to win Fucik's badge.

Prace, Svobodne slovo, Mlady svet.

-And two colleagues from AFE! -Great.

Our comrades from Rude pravo were not interested at all.

-Buresova. -Pospisil, nice to meet you.

For technical reasons, the hearing is moved from room 2 to room 6.

Third floor, at the end of the corridor.

Haven't there always been only five courtrooms here?

We'll start with the procedural issues.

Witnesses will be called at 2 pm.

This hearing is closed to the public, unless you have a valid permit.

Could at least one of us stay? He can stand over there.

This is not a soccer game, comrade.

Of course, but I thought...

Leave the courtroom or I will have security escort you out.

OK. Good luck.

Please.

No drinks, please. Thank you.

Dr. Sykora called, he's running a bit late.

I hope you are not waiting for us?

Comrade Novy...

Thank you.

The consumption of drinks is forbidden, Comrade Novy.

Sorry. I got bronchitis while traveling.

If you would allow it...

We are now commencing the trial

plaintiffs Ondrej Travnicek, Jiri Palach and Libuse Palachova,

versus defendant Vilem Novy, accused of libel and defamation.

The accusations are based exclusively on claims from articles

in the newspapers Prace and Mlada fronta.

These papers have led a shameful and dishonorable campaign

against my client for well over a year.

My client's statements at the pre-election meeting in Ceska Lipa

were deliberately taken out of context and misrepresented.

The accusations are just a continuation of this shameful act.

Its intention is to scandalize functionaries, devoted servants

of socialism and friendship with the Soviet Union,

and to remove them from public life.

This case is an attempt to abuse the Czechoslovak legal system.

Would the plaintiffs like to add anything?

No.

Well, let us start the process.

At the meeting, you said you based your speech upon documents

from the Department of the lnterior. Is this true?

Yes.

According to these documents, Jan Palach agreed to immolate himself

after he was promised that the liquid he would use would work

as so-called "cold fire" with minimal risk of lethal burns.

-That is true. -lnteresting.

The police rejected your statements as unfounded and stated that

the results of their investigation were not shared with anyone.

How do you explain this?

The documents were put on my desk in parliament.

I did not examine their origin.

-Do you have the documents? -No, I'm afraid...

It's been more than half a year and I can't keep every paper.

Of course.

Would you describe yourself as knowledgeable in chemistry?

I don't understand this question.

Just... if you understand chemistry.

Well I suppose just about average.

You may know that Prof. Wichterle, a member of the Academy of Sciences

and also a colleague of yours in parliament,

described the "cold fire theory" in the media as, and I quote,

"A wild fabrication made up by a person who failed basic chemistry."

Objection. It seems that the doctor is trying to insult my client.

I want to know if it's possible that such a clever man as your client...

Oh, thank you.

... could put his trust in some bizarre, anonymous documents

and use them in a manner that would risk public embarrassment.

Objection denied.

The documents were officially distributed in parliament,

I had no reason to not believe them.

-How were they distributed? -Well, they were simply on my table.

-So you don't know who brought it. -Well it probably wasn't the mailman.

Someone from the staff put it there.

Did only you get these documents or your colleagues got them as well?

I don't know... We get lots of papers,

I would go crazy if I checked every paper.

Well I checked for you.

According to the management of the archive of parliament...

there are no official documents about Palach's cooperation with extremists.

There are two possible explanations.

Either these documents mysteriously disappeared from the archive,

which is, according to the archive management, impossible...

or these documents never existed.

I saw the papers as I see you.

-Were the papers in Czech? -Sorry?

You do get lots of documents in other languages, don't you?

These documents were in Czech, I am sure.

And one more question, please...

I was trying to imagine how this "cold fire" was supposed to work.

What do you mean?

Jan Palach pours "cold fire" on himself, pretends to burn himself,

and when it's over, then what? He gets up and goes home?

I don't know. I don't know what he planned, I didn't speak to him.

That I can believe.

Thank you, I have no more questions.

Thank you. We will now recess and then return to hear the witnesses.

Come in.

Sorry, can I use your phone? The one on the ground floor is out of order.

-Go right ahead. -Thank you.

Hello, this is Buresova.

Can I speak to Mr. Pavlovsky?

Do you know where he went?

OK, when he gets back, tell him I called.

Buresova Dagmar.

And tell him the trial is today, he may have forgotten.

Bye.

Thank you.

-ls there a problem? -Our witness did not show up.

They said he went to a journalists' meeting on Parizska Street.

Hold them off, I'll try to find him.

The briefcase.

Damn!

Sir, can you please tell us if the defendant mentioned

Ondrej Travnicek during the meeting?

He said his name, I think, yes.

In what context?

I don't remember.

Could it have been in connection with the name of Jan Palach?

Answer, please.

Maybe, I do not remember.

Was the meeting documented in any way?

I don't know.

Audio recording of events at this level is quite routine, isn't it?

Maybe, but there was nobody recording.

Please, doctor.

You said that the defendant mentioned Jan Palach at the meeting.

What did he actually say?

-He was very positive. -Be specific, please.

-Comrade Novy praised him. -How?

-He called him an honest man. -Anything else? Nothing more?

He criticized all forms of political pressure on public opinion,

that can lead to personal tragedy for such honest young people.

-Did he use those words exactly? -Basically, yes.

Now that's interesting. You are the third person who does not remember

what Novy said about the plaintiff, Travnicek, but is able to quote

complimentary statements the defendant made about Jan Palach.

You are a history teacher at a high school in Kralupy, aren't you?

I'm the principal.

It says here that you are a teacher.

I was just appointed principal last week.

Oh. Well, I am asking because as a history teacher

you must have a good memory. Lots of names, lots of dates.

Yes, I suppose.

How is it that you remember almost nothing from a half-hour speech

given by Vilem Novy, which you described as, and I quote,

"very touching and poignant"?

It's been half a year, no one could remember it word for word.

But you remember the defendant's words about Jan Palach perfectly...

No more questions.

The witness is dismissed.

As far as I know, no one was recording the meeting.

Maybe you just did not notice?

I don't know. I had enough of my own work to worry about.

I'm asking because if a recording existed, it would save a lot of time.

Do you personally remember what was said about Jan Palach?

I told you. I had no time to pay attention.

No more questions.

Any further questions for this witness?

Comrade Witness, you may go now.

With all due respect to the plaintiff's terrible loss,

we reiterate that the defendant's statements regarding Jan Palach

have been taken out of context and misrepresented.

Also, when they were spoken, it was not possible to libel Jan Palach.

Thank you, Comrade.

Today's hearings are over.

Radim.

Hello.

-Sit down. -No, thanks. I'll stand here.

The Disciplinary Board considered all relevant circumstances,

including Dr. Bures's spotless record and the quality of his work.

We have decided to resolve the affair by issuing a departmental reprimand.

Am I allowed to appeal?

Of course... you can.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Radim, wait for me outside.

Can you tell me what you want? You got the smallest possible punishment!

So I should be satisfied?

Damn it! That old hag wanted to get you fired!

You know very well that every single word she said was a lie!

My god, does it run in your family?

What did you say?

I wanted to help you.

Well, you did. I was in fact only reprimanded, wasn't l?

If I had really told her that she is a Bolshevik swine...

which is just what she and her apparatchik deserve,

I would be fired, wouldn't l? No reprimand, just walking papers.

Yes, that's just what would happen. Would you like that?

Mr. Palach, I am so sorry.

How much sugar?

Why did you call me?

Let's have two spoonfuls.

You know, according to the management of the cemetery,

visitors to your brother's grave are violating the piety of this place.

There have been criminal acts and provocations against the state.

Visiting a grave is a provocation against the state?

Mr. Palach, what am I supposed to do?

My bosses come up with something and I have to deal with it.

What do you want from me?

We are all stuck between millstones.

What if you moved your brother home to Vsetaty?

What?!

Well, it would be better for everyone.

Forget it!

Mr. Palach... I know it sounds terrible

but try thinking it over with your mother...

Let my mother be!

Mr. Pavlovsky!

Oh, hello.

You promised me something, do you remember?

-What do you mean? -Are you serious?

-You were supposed to testify! -I don't know what you mean.

Sorry, but I'm in a hurry.

Asshole!

And now what?

We'll have to file Novy's prison record as a piece of evidence.

We'll read it at the trial.

You want to convict Novy of cooperation with the KGB?

-He will eat you alive. -I hope so.

-Coffee? -Yes, thanks.

Pavel...?

The file is not here.

It was here yesterday.

It's not there.

-What? -l...

Yesterday, I left my briefcase here. When I came back for it...

I met Vladimir in the hallway. The office was open,

Vladimir looked like he had just come out. And you always lock the door...

-That's crazy, Pavel. -I'm just telling you what I saw.

Why would he do it?

I have known him for ten years. I trust him.

So... where is the file?

When Doctor Sladecek gave it to me, Knapp saw us.

-He's on vacation since Saturday. -So what?

He could have come back sooner.

After two days, from Bulgaria?

Please, forget about the coffee. Come on, help me here.

Well, I don't know where you put it.

-Here. -So it must be there!

Please take a look over there.

Four eyes see more than two.

One beer.

Do you have any idea where she got this?

You'll have to find that out yourself.

Of course.

I heard that the Student Movement is going to be investigated.

I heard that, too.

Can l... count on our agreement?

Well, if I can trust you...

I know, Dr. Charouz. And I really appreciate it.

-We'll have another round. -Not for me.

Can't I buy you a drink, Dr. Charouz?

My daughter gave birth to a son yesterday.

A big boy, almost 8 pounds. Frantisek, named after me.

You know, kids are nothing but trouble, but when I saw him...

I cried like an old lady.

Look, it's her.

You can sit here.

-I'll get you water. -You're kind, Jiri.

Are you tired, Mrs. Palachova?

Can you come here for a second, madam? You too, sir?

Excuse me.

-I'll take your briefcase. -No, take my coat, thank you.

Can I offer you some?

It will help you.

I got it from Mongolia, the herdsmen drink it.

They often live up to a hundred years.

Go away, please.

Mrs. Palachova,

I wanted to tell you,

this situation is very unpleasant.

If you were to decide to sue those so-called journalists

who so shamelessly misrepresented my words about your son,

you could count on my complete support.

Shouldn't you be sitting over there?

Mr. Janicek, you were one of the organizers of the meeting.

I didn't organize it, I just helped out there.

What was your job?

I checked invitations at the entrance.

People without invitations were not allowed in?

Yes... Well, at first. Later it became impossible to enforce.

Does that mean that later people without invitations did get in?

-Yes. -Did the organizers know about it?

I don't know.

And you didn't tell anyone?

I just... I couldn't go away, I had to be there.

-Your witness. -Sir...

Who were the people without invitations?

Mostly young people... some older, but not many.

Could you describe them?

What did they wear, how did they look...?

I don't know, ordinary people...

Some of them wore jeans, some of them were long-haired...

How did these people react when the defendant spoke about Jan Palach?

They started to ask provocative questions.

Provocative, what do you mean?

Answer, please.

They were provocative because from their tone,

it was clear that they were meant as an attack on Comrade Novy.

If the defendant had not known that there were people there who had

not been invited, do you think he would have talked about Jan Palach?

Objection. We are here to examine objective facts,

not the witness's subjective opinions.

Objection sustained.

I'm sorry, but I can't find something here...

-What year were you born? -Forty eight.

So you are twenty one?

Thank you.

-Cancel everything for tomorrow. -Why?

You heard it, Pavel. Young people in jeans!

They are not likely to testify in support of Novy, don't you think?

-Try to remember, please. -I really can't recall anything.

-lt would really help me. -I am sorry.

Are you there, Mr. Janicek?

Sorry. I'm sorry.

Ma'am?

Mr. Krejcik here was at the meeting!

Really?

What that representative said about that boy was... disgusting.

Mr. Krejcik, would you be willing to testify to this in court?

Anytime, madam. I have it all written down.

-You wrote it down? -Well, that's what I do.

Today, for example, I recorded every license plate ending in the number 9.

Since this morning, six of them drove through town, would you believe it?

And why do you do this?

These things just come to me. Out of thin air.

For example, in July, the number of ear injuries rose. No one knows why.

The police and doctors hide it from us, of course.

Mr. Krejcik, please go back to recording license plates. Thank you.

Yes.

Bye.

Sorry, I didn't know. I thought he was quite normal.

Hm, let's go. We're not going to come up with anything here.

Dr. Buresova...

I just wanted to tell you that someone did record the meeting.

Who?

They had a car with a radio station logo. They wanted to record

just for a while, but they stayed to the end. Sorry, that's all I know.

If you want to borrow equipment, you have to sign for it,

otherwise they won't let you borrow so much as a screw.

And on February 20th everything was here.

-And if they didn't sign the paper? -No one would risk it.

-Where else can I go? -Did you try the sports editor?

-Yes... Right, on February 20th... -Are you sure?

-Ceska Lipa. Hotel Merkur. -We don't know if they were yours...

-And, and, and... can you find out? -Me too, thanks anyway...

-Goodbye. -Please, have him call me.

My number is 22-486. Thanks. Goodbye.

So, do you have anything?

If there was anyone there from the radio, he disappeared completely.

Buresova. I'll be right there. Sorry. Bye.

Radim.

Go. I'll try to call to the rest of them.

Vladka sends her regards. She's got her fingers crossed for you.

Vladimir, I must ask you something. I can't find one file.

What file?

One for the Novy trial. His prison record.

-Novy was in prison? -Did you borrow it?

Why would I do that?

I don't get it, it just disappeared.

-Pavel doesn't have it? -No.

Sorry to say this, but... do you trust that guy?

What? Yes, I do, why?

I don't know, I can't explain... But since he came,

I'm not sure about him. I don't have a good feeling, somehow.

-Well... -Sorry, I just...

No, it's good that you told me.

Sorry.

-I have to go. Bye. -Bye.

Here comes the tickle monster.

Tickle, tickle, here it comes!

What's it doing? Tickle, tickle...

The tickle monster is coming...

Beware of tickle monsters!

-All right, it's time for bed. -Good night.

So that's it. Goodbye.

-Hello. -Hello.

-So, how would you like it cut? -Just shorten it a bit.

-And in the back? -Layered.

I just wanted to ask if you didn't remember anything more.

I told you everything. I don't know anything else.

-They didn't say who they were? -No.

They had to show you papers.

-No. -So you just let them go in?

Ow!

I'm sorry.

I think that should be good enough. Thank you.

Goodbye.

-Here. -Thank you.

Hey! Wait! Hey!

Well that's just great.

Feb. 20 - Czechoslovak Radio presents Carrier Pigeon Races

-Enjoy your meal. -And where's yours?

-You're eating on your own today. -I don't want to eat without you.

-I'll sit here, OK. -But you have no food.

Zuzka.

Should I cut it for you? Just eat then.

-Take this. -Daddy!

Well, eat, make daddy happy.

-Hi. -Hi.

-Enjoy your meal. -Sorry, I didn't know...

...when you'd be home. I'll get you some food.

No, no, thanks. I'm not hungry. Thanks.

Eat it.

Did it turn out badly?

I'm leaving the department. And the hospital.

What will you do?

I don't know.

The director told me I could go to the Beroun Health Center.

He knows someone there.

Beroun?

I wasn't very excited either.

Mom, someone's at the door!

On the 20th, there was some kind of carrier pigeon race.

The radio station was supposed to cover it.

I went to the co-operative that organized it.

The agricultural section covered it.

They said they almost missed it. Do you know why?

Because they were delayed in Ceska Lipa.

-Come in! -Pavel! Pavel!

-Good evening. -Hi, hi. Hello.

-Let's eat. Can you wait there... -Okay.

Zuzka, please. Eat!

Let me help you.

I missed lunch, so I decided to get something to eat in that hotel.

So we went there.

-Beranova says the audio is no good. -Tell her to get off my back.

I had my intern with me, for training.

When I saw the havoc,

I sent him for our equipment.

It was the perfect learning environment, everyone shouting...

Could we speak to him?

Well, maybe by phone. He sent me a postcard from San Francisco.

... have acted alone,

or had he been led by someone more experienced?

Don't shout at me, comrades, these are facts!

These are the conclusions of the Ministry of the lnterior!

It's about a group of five students called the Death Five,

which collaborated with Travnicek.

-He is the one... -Enough.

Mr. Hana, would you testify for us?

-lf you need it... -lt would help us a lot.

But I can't promise that there would be no consequences for you.

Dr. Buresova, I retire at the start of next year.

I've been happily divorced for 15 years, I have no children,

and they won't take away my football season tickets. So what?

Our sanitary rules have been violated.

I understand you, Mr. Palach. I understand.

But we have to help resolve this somehow.

You know how I'll help resolve this?

By not suing you and your bosses.

The grave can be removed without your approval.

According to Article 36, graves that do not meet the stipulated terms

can be removed even without the approval of their owner.

Jan can be moved into a mass grave, you wouldn't know where he was.

I'm sorry... I have to lock up...

Look who's here? Daddy's here!

How come you are not sleeping?

Hi.

Hi.

-Hi, mom. -Hi.

What are we doing here, what?

-Tell us. Goodies? -Goodies? Cooking goodies?

We Czechs can't stand against ourselves.

Mom, would you like to move in with us?

You would get sick of me.

We talked about it. You could help us with Alice.

We want to buy a car in the spring.

I can drive you to see Jan.

I am used to things the way they are. And I don't mind taking the train.

Think about it.

If I am attacked, I defend myself.

I am admitting to evidence an audio recording of the Ceska Lipa meeting.

I've got proof that Palach was mentally unstable.

He had attempted suicides many times.

And so, the question remains...

Could such an unstable and not-too-bright young man

have acted alone,

or had he been led by someone more experienced?

Don't shout at me, comrades, these are facts!

These are the conclusions of the Ministry of the lnterior!

It's about a group of five students called the Death Five,

which collaborated with Travnicek.

He is the one who promised Palach that the chemicals applied

would be those used for "cold fire"

with minimal risk of lethal burns.

Well, thank you. It's time for a break now...

Break.

-What is this? -The verdict.

-Got a light? -Of course.

-Can I ask you something? -Another interrogation?

I would like to know one thing: why do you do it?

I understand that in prison your life was at stake, but now?

What are you looking for now?

The Truth.

But you know that it's all a lie.

Madam, you understand absolutely nothing.

I am a politician.

And for a politician, the Truth is what is beneficial for the nation.

Back to the hall, please.

Try not to take it so personally.

Would you have the courage to say that to Mrs. Palachova?

I am not talking to Mrs. Palachova. I am talking to Dr. Buresova.

In the name of the Republic, I will now read the court's verdict.

The District Court of Prague 8, Judge Pavlina Reznickova presiding,

heard the case of plaintiffs O. Travnicek, J. Palach a L. Palachova,

represented by Dagmar Buresova, vs. the defendant Vilem Novy,

represented by Doctor Alois Sykora, accused of libel and defamation.

The plaintiff demands that the defendant make an official apology

both in a personal letter and publicly in the press within 3 days.

The plaintiff's demand is hereby denied.

Justification. The defendant Vilem Novy expressed his opinions

not as a private person but as a Member of Parliament

at an official meeting of the Communist National Front.

At the time, Czechoslovak socialism was under threat.

In such conditions, the accused was not only entitled,

but obliged to take the stand he did.

This is a disgrace.

Along with this decision, plaintiffs are obliged to pay

the defendant's legal costs. The sum is 4,816 CZK.

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Mrs. Palachova, quiet down or I will have to fine you for contempt.

-Madam, please calm your client. -Go ahead and fine me.

-This judgment can be appealed... -Your Honor, you know you're lying.

... within 15 days from the effective date.

We will appeal. We will appeal. Don't worry, Jiri, we will.

Thank you.

Thank you very much, Dr. Buresova.

I'm afraid there is nothing to thank me for.

You did everything you could.

There will be a disciplinary hearing for the Student Movement leaders.

-But you promised me... -The school made that decision...

... we can't control that. But I spoke to the dean,

you don't need to worry about your daughter.

What about Travnicek? And the others?

You know what I like about you, Dr. Charouz?

That you care so much about other people.

Do you think Travnicek would care about you?

Man is really just an animal. He cares only for himself and his young.

In the end, he still does what he is told to do.

21,50.

-Twenty two. -Thanks a lot.

Not at all. Today is...?

-Fourteenth. -November 14th, 5 pm.

We have to keep track of everything, too.

Hold the light up!

There's the coffin.

I woke you up again? Sorry.

I couldn't sleep anyway.

You're so nice, thank you.

-What are you looking at? -You lost weight.

That's because the pubs on my way only serve diet bacon.

That's why general practitioners are thin. Have you ever seen a fat GP?

I should get up at five in the morning...

Oh, that would be great. And I'd cook you breakfast.

Should we see if mom will babysit the girls this evening?

I'll try...

Tell her about the Law on Family Relationships or something.

Beda.

If he ever comes late, it will mean the world is coming to an end.

Wait, here's your snack.

Thank you, bye.

Sign this.

-But l... -Here.

Where is Jan?

Where is my son?!

Where is my son?

Where is my son?

January, 1989, 20 years after the death of Jan Palach.

Come on...

Wait for me, I have to get the mail.

Stop!

In 1989, the 20th anniversary of Jan Palach's death saw the largest

demonstrations against the Communist regime since the 1960s.

10 months later, the totalitarian regime in Czechoslovakia collapsed.

In December, 1989, Dr. Dagmar Buresova

was appointed Minister of Justice.

Jan Palach was posthumously given the Order of T. G. Masaryk in 1991,

for outstanding contributions to democracy and human rights.

This film is dedicated to the memory of Jan Palach, Jan Zajic,

Evzen Plocek, Ryszard Siwiec and all those who sacrificed their lives

in the struggle for freedom.

English subtitles: J. Burger SDl Media 201 2