Veronika

Otakar Vávra’s enthusiasm for historical dramas continued with this 1985 film, which also indirectly touches upon his abiding interest in 19th century Czech writer Božena Němcová (something which would fully manifest itself in the biographical film Horoucí srdce [An Ardent Heart, 1962]). The protagonist of this film would have been well-known to Němcová – Veronika Pavlitová is inspired by the figure of Viktoria Paulová, who was a close acquaintance of the author during 1855. The naive, highly active and patriotic writer longs to end her father’s imprisonment, and thus becomes an informant, bringing information to the secret police about Němcová and other Czech National Revival figures. The approach of death brings a heavy heart as she reflects on her deeds. This tragic drama was first related by author Miloš V. Kratochvíl, who also partook in adapting Vávra’s project for the big screen. Veronika has an unusual place within the director’s expansive filmography: it is free of any forced ideological statements, while it also unusually relates the lesbian tendencies of its lead character, and reflects the very contemporary issues of informers, self-censorship and those who publish for their own safety under a pseudonym.