Were We Really Like This?

The Prague theatre director, Jan Jonáš, whose uncompromising approach to art work often results in conflicts with the Communist and state authorities, successfully directs Turgenev in the town of Liberec. As usual, the director of the theatre has no understanding for Jonáš's avant-garde conception, and he is fired. When he returns to Prague, he suffers from a heart attack on the street and tumbles. People pass by indifferently, until he is taken care of by an unknown young man who calls the emergency services. Jonᚠis again in Prague after the hospital and spa treatment. He does not find his daughter Madla at home. His friend Alice tells him that the daughter lives with Alice's husband, the actor Josef Válek. Alice, whom Jonᚠonce loved, moves in with him. Jonᚠaccepts the offer to direct Othello in the Magical Theatre. But already the first rehearsal ends up tragically. The actors do not invest all their erudition in their performance; they are more interested in their TV and radio gigs. Jonáš's work is moreover rudely interfered with by the Party official Jarmilka. Jonᚠis only admired by the unknown young man from the street who works as a sceneshifter in the theatre where everybody considers him a foolish improver. But it is he who loves theatre and in whom Jonᚠspots great talents. Jonᚠdoes not let anything discourage him in his work. He meets the actors one by one, talks to them about the sense of life and theatre, and even does various errands for them. During the following rehearsals Jonᚠnotices that Madla, who plays the part of Desdemona, is becoming close with the Improver. He thus sends Alice to Válek to reconcile. It is the day of the dress rehearsal. Jonᚠmanages to whip up the actors to the maximum performance. But he is running out of vigour and wants the Improver to substitute for him. He crumples down onto the floor with the words "Long live theatre!" Everybody applauds him. - At the November 1989 manifestation, people chant "Long live the actors!"