Waves (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Some characters in this film are inspired

by real people and share their names.

The Soviet Union keeps Eastern European

countries under its control.

Their governments

are subordinate to Moscow.

1,300,000 political prisoners.

5,800 executions.

Millions of ruined lives.

Any sign of freedom

is suppressed by force.

Media are subject to strict censorship.

The largest media organization

is the radio.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA,

OCTOBER 31, 1967

STRAHOV COLLEGE DORMITORY

They gotta be kidding! Again?

As if the heat not working wasn't enough!

It's Milan Weiner at the microphone.

We have experts, ...

Let's go outside!

...who regularly travel abroad...

We want light! We want light!

We want light! We want light!

Move it! Get in the vans!

Move it! Let's go!

WAVES

...mostly cloudy.

In Bohemia and Moravia,

expect local showers

and snow in the mountains.

Mrs. afkov, this is Tom Havlk.

I'm sorry to bother you.

My brother isn't home yet.

Is he at your place by any chance?

We want light! We want light!

We want light! We want light!

Stop! Stop!

- Quiet! Quiet!

- Stop!

Stand still!

Havlk, hello?

What?

Pavel?

Where've you been?

At Jaro's.

We were talking about something.

Why didn't you call me?

Cops brutally beat up

some students in Strahov.

How do you know?

I called the whole town because of you.

I'm sorry.

You're sorry!

Do you know who Milan Weiner is?

Yes, I do.

He's been doing really interesting

talks for students.

The day after tomorrow,

I'm auditioning for his radio show.

COME TO THE AUDITION!

Forget it!

Forget it, it's dangerous!

Weiner?

Yes.

HAVLK FAMILY

You could've gotten a beer for me too!

Why can't I have a sip?

I'd give you beer.

But not in front of our parents.

Dumbass!

- Hello, comrade!

- Hello.

- Hello.

- Hello.

We're about to go grocery shopping.

Sign here.

Be careful about this, Mr. Havlk!

He'd have enough to eat

if he stayed with us.

Pavel?

Damn it!

CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO

- Hello.

- Hello.

Excuse me, where's the Weiner audition?

Are you here for the audition?

Here.

Okay, I apologize for the delay.

But we're sort of on alert today.

We're expecting an important message.

Please, print your name

and leave some contact information.

You may begin. Go ahead!

Dienstbier.

Yes but we're in the middle

of an audition. I can't just...

What if they call me here

while I'm gone?

Jesus! Ok, I'll be right there.

Excuse me.

Keep working, I'll be right back.

Hello?

Can I have that message, please?

You just won the audition!

May I offer you a job in our newsroom?

No, it's a misunderstanding,

I'm not looking for a job.

CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY

- Good morning!

- Hey!

It's Milan Weiner at the microphone.

A few years ago,

world institutions agreed...

Hello. Comrade Havlk?

That's me.

Can you come with me?

Comrade director asks for you.

Director of what?

The Communications Authority -

comrade Hoffman.

- Hello.

- Honor to labor!

Comrade Tom Havlk.

Take a seat.

So, you've been offered a job

at the Radio?

Milan Weiner is the talk of the town now.

I only went to the Radio

because of my brother.

I don't speak any languages,

what would I do in that newsroom?

Weiner wants you as a technician.

Could you give us some privacy?

Of course.

Tom,

I think you should accept the job.

The things that Weiner

is doing at the radio

would be impossible just a year ago.

The Czechoslovak Radio

is under us, I can approve it.

If Weiner wants you...

I don't want it, comrade director,

I like it here.

But thank you.

Mr. Havlk, wait!

I'm you sure you feel

things are starting to change.

- I'm not interested in politics.

- Weiner is a chance. For all of us.

Think about it! I mean it.

Hello, Hoffman speaking.

Hello, comrade director.

When Weiner called and said he'd hire you,

I was happy.

Not only because I'm rooting

for him. Also...

Layoffs are coming.

It'll mostly concern younger employees

which probably means you.

I know that a few days of unemployment

could send your brother to an orphanage.

I don't mean to push you.

I want to help you.

Take the Weiner job.

I'll give you the best recommendation.

Good night.

So, sign here.

- Hello!

- Bye.

Again?

A surprise check.

About the Radio,

I didn't get the job with Weiner,

so don't worry.

What about you? Any news?

Nope.

Bienvenue Prague, my friends!

Turn it down, damn it!

We're bringing you

the hottest banned world hits!

Turn it down!

Rest assured

we'll be playing them here in Prague!

It's gonna be a hell of a ride!

Turn it off or I'll throw it out!

- Calm down, Lubo!

- What?

They're just messing with you.

You know them.

That's what ticks me off!

Just a second!

Friends,

may I have your attention, please?

We have a new team member:

Tom Havlk, technician.

Jarda Pavelka will teach him everything.

Milan, they edited everything out again.

It's pointless to broadcast it like this.

- I hope he'll like it here.

- He's gonna love it!

Now excuse me.

Jarunka?

Can you come with us, please?

- I'm Honza Petrnek. Welcome!

- Havlk, pleased to meet you.

- imra. Welcome!

- Havlk. Tom.

- Jirka, we've already met.

- Tom Havlk.

- Karel Jezdinsk. Pleased to meet you.

- Havlk.

- A Ludvk ermk.

- Havlk.

I'm happy to welcome back Vra ovkov

who is returning after 5 years

as our correspondent in Africa.

And Ludvk ermk who is back from Paris.

A lot of homecomings.

A month ago,

Dienstbier returned from New York.

Now there's two more.

Didn't they do well abroad?

I'm glad they're back.

Right.

I understand you refused to broadcast

a mandatory news item

from the Czechoslovak Press Office?

I wanted to verify it.

Excuse me?

It said that students went

on a vandalism rampage in Strahov.

And attacked police officers.

I sent someone there.

They found no signs of vandalism.

Only blood stains.

And chunks of ripped out long hair.

Weiner, mandatory news

items are mandatory!

I didn't want the radio to look stupid.

At a talk for students in Bratislava,

you reportedly said:

"If you rely on a single source,

you are not a journalist.

Whether you read the papers,

listen to the radio or watch TV,

you get the same censored information.

At International Life,

we speak a total of 11 languages

but we're only allowed to use

the Czech and Soviet press office.

And even the news items we get from them

must go through news approval,

i.e. censorship,

before we can broadcast them."

Isn't it true?

You represent Czechoslovak Radio

wherever you are.

Do you know what's in those bags?

Letters from students who dislike

your promoting Western press agencies.

We aren't going to use any such agencies.

And the news item you failed to broadcast

will be broadcast by the economics team.

Today!

Can I have those?

Go ahead.

After the youths

many of whom were armed

started destroying street lights

and parked cars,

the police officers had no choice

but to take appropriate action

to restore peace and safety

for residents of Prague

and by extension,

all residents of Czechoslovakia.

All newspapers put it this way.

No student is going to listen

to the Radio after this.

...of our country,

You, Mr. Weiner, are one of them.

- Jesus!

- Sure.

- How much have you read so far?

- About a half of it.

What are they saying?

They're bothered by Moscow being smeared.

And you wanting to source news

for non-socialist countries.

They say that they trust our sources.

Some are pretty blunt.

I'd like to see them

being this brave face to face.

But I was talking

about verifying information!

What's their problem with that?

Tom, would you have a minute?

Sure.

Vra, you and Tom are going to see

the authors of these letters.

Interview them on this subject.

Take a company car and get going.

Today!

- Hello?

- Hey, this is Tom.

Hey!

I have an unplanned night shift.

Okay.

There's some eggs

and bread in the food closet.

Okay.

- Are you studying for your history class?

- Yeah, sure.

Good night!

Good night!

This soup's gone

a little sour, don't you think?

Don't know. I don't cook.

At least not Czech cuisine.

But you eat it.

Like now.

Right, the soup isn't very good.

Do you cook?

I do.

Let's get going early in the morning.

At 7 am.

- As you say.

- Night!

Good night!

You gotta be kidding me!

Of course! You're on a business trip,

so you get drunk!

And a single woman definitely wants some...

The gentlemen at the bar

sent you this bottle.

Good night.

COMENIUS UNIVERSITY, BRATISLAVA

I apologize.

For yesterday.

It's okay. It was a misunderstanding.

There must be a mistake.

- Are you Jozef Bokro?

- Yes.

Were you at Milan Weiner's talk

at this school?

Yes but I didn't write this letter.

Did he run it by the censors?

Nope.

ON AIR

Good afternoon, this is Milan Weiner

greeting you on Czechoslovak Radio.

When talking to students,

I said several times

that using only the Czechoslovak

and Soviet press agencies wasn't enough.

Then we received several letters

from upset students who disagreed with me.

But since verifying information

is a part of journalism,

we went to Bratislava,

to the university where most

of these letters had come from.

Those letters were fake.

ON AIR

Someone wrote almost 300 of them

and sent them to us.

Because that someone is rooting for lies.

At International Life, we believe

that our listeners of any age

aren't interested in lies.

Write us or call us right now.

Call us if you want at least the Radio

to speak the truth.

We stand with you.

International Life newsroom.

- Dienstbier, International Life.

- Thank you!

Czechoslovak Radio!

Hello?

International Life!

Call Weiner. Now!

- I'll write down you name. Bye.

- Yes.

Thank you very much!

We appreciate it! Bye!

All their lines are busy.

Come in!

Comrade Havlk is here.

- Leave us.

- Okay.

Tom, we're in trouble!

What happened?

They're doing background checks

on everyone in your newsroom.

They wanted to know

why I recommended you to work with Weiner.

They asked about you and your brother.

But they were reasonable,

they let me talk to you first.

I vouched for you.

They're primarily after the journalists but

you have to sign

that you'll cooperate with them.

- Tom! Don't leave me hanging!

- I'm not snitching on anyone!

You don't have to!

Sign it and they'll leave you alone.

- It may be even better that way!

- What?

Then they'll leave you alone!

You just have to sign

that you'll cooperate.

Or you lose your job

and your brother ends up in an orphanage.

And who knows what they'll want from me!

Their system is falling apart

and they're kicking around in agony.

We just have to stick it out.

Tom!

I heard someone was taking pictures

of my daughter in kindergarten.

Don't leave me hanging now!

Please!

- Hello!

- Hello!

Can we see Mr. Weiner?

We know he's still here.

Fifth floor.

You stay here and keep watch. Let's go!

Every year, millions of tourists stream

across the borders of European countries.

Supposedly, this great migration

spells great hope for Europe.

I'm not just standing here like a dupe!

We even managed to take a few pictures.

We can't broadcast this.

Trust me, now it would be bad tactics.

It could be useful later.

We're fighting for free speech.

Just like you.

Just be careful.

We'd better take the back exit today.

Okay. I need to finish writing something.

We'll lock the door later.

What do you want?

Your IDs!

The handbag!

What do you want?

What?

Where's the tape?

What tape?

Hey!

What do you mean, hey?

As the president, I can no longer tolerate

the creeping influence of pro-Western

imperialist elements in Czechoslovakia.

Subversive, harmful and hostile elements.

Even at such institutions

as Czechoslovak Radio.

Even the president

is talking about the Radio!

These are letters from listeners

who support us.

Real letters.

We can't even answer them all.

No one's gonna ask you about that!

The secret police stormed the building

and you keep pretending...

They found nothing.

They damaged our equipment.

How dare they?

Do you know what they want?

Listen, Weiner: if you have anything

they want, get rid of it now!

I don't want people to get arrested here.

Will you be responsible for your editors?

You're a Communist.

So show it, damn it!

Or they'll get you for this in no time.

Hello.

Milan, would you have a second?

Alexander Dubek.

A young Slovak Communist.

For the first time,

he openly spoke about free speech.

Well...

Let's give his some praise, then.

This Dubek.

Move it! Everything to the loading ramp!

FREE SPEECH

FREE SPEECH DUBEK

FREE SPEECH DUBEK

Stop! Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

f*cking school boys!

We have a reason to be optimistic.

Soon we'll be able to bring you

reliable information. We stand with you.

DECEMBER 1967

I think I got lucky.

No male editor

wanted to go to Africa back then.

I was the only candidate.

Well, try to make an African dish.

Everyone would love that.

I'm not that brave.

Plus unlike you, I don't enjoy cooking.

I cook because I have to.

I got my little brother in my care.

- Comrade Havlk!

- Good evening!

Good evening.

I don't know anything about any tape.

Why didn't you tell us

what your brother was involved in?

We know that someone from your newsroom

has the tape. Do you know who?

What's going on with my brother?

We know someone from your newsroom

has the tape.

Do they want to broadcast it?

- Pavel isn't involved in anything!

- Where is the tape?

I don't know.

If you don't tell us right now,

we'll beat your brother to a pulp.

Or he won't return at all.

Do you f*cking understand?

I don't know who has it now.

It passes between the editors

at random intervals.

Okay.

So, what do you suggest, comrade?

NEW YEAR'S EVE 1967

What is it?

Suya. A Nigerian dish.

Did you make this?

He rejected my Palestine report again.

I wanted to smack him with it!

Did she just let you draw her like this?

I want to go to India too!

Always the same.

They're just provoking us!

Have some!

The ice queen's cooking!

Thank you.

Like this?

...and top it with the cheese.

We don't have palm oil anyway,

so yes, like this.

Tom?

Come, it's almost midnight!

Seven!

Six!

Five!

Four!

Three!

Two!

One!

Happy New Year!

May you always be our funny man, Lubo!

Secret police!

Good evening!

What is this, gentlemen?

There's one hiding here!

Come check him out!

Whose bag is it?

Whose bag is it?

Mine.

Karel!

Happy New Year 1968!

- What?

- I think you overslept!

What?

What time is it?

It's 9!

My shifts changed.

You got a girlfriend!

How come you're not at school?

I'm sick.

Could you sign the excuse note for me?

Where is it?

In my bag.

I didn't sign this note.

You faked my signature!

I know. You weren't home

and I needed that note signed.

You can't write your own excuse notes!

- What was I supposed to do?

- Leave it on the table!

- Where were you?

- Home.

- Sick again?

- Yes, I was sick again.

Are you going through my stuff?

Damn it, are you going through my stuff?

If you're up to anything sketchy,

you're out of this house.

Go to jail or the juvie, I don't care!

I will! Because if nothing

changes in this household,

I have no reason to stay here.

Or in this country!

I turned 17 yesterday,

just for your information.

I'm sorry!

I'm sorry to hear that, Tom.

I'm sorry about what happened.

But you have nothing to be afraid of.

How come?

Prudence isn't knowing

how things will turn out.

Prudence is being ready

for any outcome.

Which you are.

Results of the audition

for international correspondents:

at the end of the year,

Comrade imr is going to Warsaw.

And in September, our dear comrade

Vra ovkov will start in Tokyo.

Thank you, the meeting is over.

Weiner!

Can I have a quick word with you?

Jezdinsk took all the blame

for that tape.

But they want more, they're after you.

I got a call about you from Moscow.

They wanted information.

Be careful!

We want to get rid of old disused studios.

I want your proposals

what obsolete equipment

and which studios to get rid of

before the end of this year.

It may also concern

the emergency army switch room.

The charts for that one

are in this cabinet.

Only the director of the Communications

Authority has the key.

Yes, go ahead.

Your name?

Mr. Weiner, there's an angry listener

downstairs who wants to speak to you.

He says that you should know

not everyone supports you.

And that he's a real, normal person

and a Communist.

- And?

- He said you were an imperialist agent

and wanted to speak on the Radio

which I told him wasn't possible.

Milan, you know you won't

get away with this.

Let's hear the other side

if they want to talk.

He's an old man.

I'm speaking to a regional

Communist functionary,

a retired worker who is dissatisfied

with International Life broadcasts.

Comrade Zruba,

welcome to Czechoslovak Radio.

Hello.

You said you objected

to me mentioning the possibility

that our elections

may have been fraudulent.

And that I oppose Moscow

and the Soviet Union.

Tell me, comrade Zruba, do you really

believe that in the past 20 years,

99.9% of people always agreed

with the government

as per the election results?

Comrade Weiner,

there is no simple answer to that.

I'm not asking

whether you know that for a fact.

I'd like to know if you believe

this number is based in reality.

Well, I don't think it's quite accurate.

So where does the difference

between the official 99%

and the real figure come from?

I think that most people are happy

with the way things are.

Perhaps fewer people agreed but they

didn't express it in the elections.

But why? Was everyone able to express

their agreement or disagreement

in the elections?

I can't really say.

Comrade Zruba,

you are no stranger to politics.

Was the ballot secret?

Was everyone able to express...

I admit that in a certain period

they forced people

to stay out of the ballot box.

I heard it happened in some places.

Could it be considered election fraud?

When the ballot isn't secret?

- You are trying to manipulate me.

- No, I'm asking you.

Does it amount to election fraud?

Yes or no, answer the question.

ON AIR

Damn!

What's wrong?

Jarunka, tell him what's wrong.

The director wants to see you upstairs.

Take a seat, please.

The January convention

elected Alexander Dubek

General Secretary

of the Communist Party.

Starting now, media are allowed

to use international news sources.

Such as AFP or Reuters.

Good evening!

Good evening!

It's in the news all over the world,

in France, in the USA:

"Czechoslovakia finds

its perfect balance."

Oh my love!

Oh my love!

I used to have everything sorted out.

But now I have no idea.

Give me a clear direction

and I can move the universe.

What?

It's a quote from a play.

But I have no clear direction

in my life now.

I just want to do something

that I find meaningful.

Was being a foreign

correspondent meaningful?

It was.

So you'll go to Tokyo

and find meaning in life again.

How can you tell

if something is meaningful to you?

That it's the easiest thing

in the world to do.

It can be dangerous.

You just know.

I want it to be meaningful to him.

To Pavel?

The Red Star newspaper.

How they asked me to comment

on the events in Czechoslovakia?

Yes?

I wrote that there was a thaw,

a liberalization,

that Dubek could abolish censorship.

I wrote we were Communists

who wanted socialism but a human one

and that people were happy

about all these changes.

Why are you showing it to me?

They wrote the exact opposite.

And published it under my name.

A colleague at Reuters

told me they were lying about us.

All Russian newspapers are lying

about what's happening here!

I don't know what to do about it.

I'll go talk to Hrabsk.

We need someone we can rely on in Moscow

to give us first-hand information.

What about you?

Will you go to Moscow, Lubo?

Thank you.

CZECHOSLOVAK EMBASSY IN MOSCOW

Comrade Dobrovsk!

Yes?

Khornikov, press secretary.

I want to give you a friendly heads-up.

If you need help with a report, call me.

What about my article in the Red Star?

When will you publish a correction?

We don't publish corrections.

MARCH 1968

We'd like to know how Germans see it.

Yes, I'm back. I'm here.

International Life

at Czechoslovak Radio, hello!

Yes, I'm listening.

Is your source reliable?

There are multiple sources, okay.

Hold the line, please.

Okay.

Thank you.

Yes.

CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO OFFICES

IN KARLN, PRAGUE

Why didn't Mr. Weiner

want to tell me what was going on?

He wanted only me, Petrnek

and himself to know.

PRAGUE CASTLE,

RESIDENCE OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK PRESIDENI got something for you.

So that you don't starve in Tokyo.

Comrade president, citizens are asking

what's happening at our universities.

And what does it mean?

We have information, I regret to say,

that ill*gal student clubs are nurturing

subversive or even fascist ideas.

We won't tolerate it any longer.

Tom, is everything ready?

Let me be absolutely clear:

we must finally crack down

on anyone who is against us!

Comrade president!

Jan Petrnek, Czechoslovak Radio.

What is your reaction

to the information about your son

and the alleged exorbitant sum of money

in his Swiss bank account?

Allegedly, that money was siphoned

out of governments funds.

Could you comment on it?

Novotn speaking.

Hello, Mr. Novotn,

this is Bank of Lausanne.

Czechoslovak journalists

called our offices

and requested

information about your bank account.

- Really?

- Yes.

Listen, don't give them any information.

Of course.

We only wanted to inform you.

I see. Thank you.

Would you answer a few questions

about your customer experience?

No, I'm sorry, I'm busy.

If they call again,

find out their names and where they work.

Mr. Novotn, this is Czechoslovak Radio,

International Life.

- How did it go?

- Go!

May I help you, comrades?

They mustn't take it away from us again!

They won't. We'll give it to them.

Czechoslovak Radio.

- So you didn't know what they were up to?

- No!

Stop the bullshit!

We want something we can use

against Vra ovkov. Anything!

- Proof that she's a Western spy!

- I don't know anything like that!

What do you think happens

to young guys in jail?

You think murderers and perverts

make them happy?

It's you choice:

your brother or ovkov!

We have proof that you

are cooperating with Western intelligence.

I do nothing of that kind!

What do you do with this?

How should I put it?

I cook the recipes in it.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

What're you doing?

What were you thinking?

What the f*ck were you thinking?

I don't want to be a wimp like you!

I want to do something about it!

You're a hero,

because you only care about yourself!

You were still little

when Mom and Dad had that crash.

You have no idea

what it's like to lose someone!

- Why do you think I'm doing this?

- I don't give a damn!

I don't wanna live like this!

If Mom and Dad only saw you!

I at least distribute leaflets.

What do you do?

I work for Weiner.

What?

It's happening!

It's happening! It's happening!

Turn on the radio!

The president resigned!

The newly elected president

of Czechoslovakia is Ludvk Svoboda.

His name bodes well for the country

as svoboda is Czech for freedom.

Censorship is no more. Hooray!

Petr!

Tom!

Thank you!

Lubo!

"Socialism with a human face."

It ends with:

- Turn it down!

- Sure.

"It proves that in any historical

situation, light can be found

though it may be carried by very few."

I'm glad that Lubo

has come to see us from Moscow.

Great job, my friends!

- Cheers!

- Cheers!

This isn't how Moscow media see it.

They don't call it "socialism

with a human face" but "fascism".

They often sabotage our office,

disconnect our phones.

Most of my international

colleagues believe

Moscow will take

military action against us.

Don't be so glum!

Those few months in Moscow

made you paranoid!

I've heard they're already getting

the army ready to invade Czechoslovakia.

I hate to ruin this beautiful moment,

I'm happy about all our successes

and I don't want to make

any false accusations

but I think there's a spy among us.

When they found the tape on Karel

on New Year's Eve,

they knew what they were doing.

It was the only time

they could be sure to find it.

Someone told them

it was passing between us

and that we would all be there.

It was the right place and time.

And when they barged

into Vra's apartment,

how did they know where to find

things written in French? Again,

someone must've told them.

- Who else would've known?

- Let's not go there, Lubo!

Obviously, they are trying to infiltrate us

but be careful with any accusations.

That's exactly what they want.

Let's be careful.

To our new president!

To freedom of speech!

To Svoboda!

Tom! Did you check out

the external studios?

I did.

I'd like to take a look at it too

if you're done with it.

Sure.

Why is he interested in external studios?

Don't know. He just is.

Since when

have you been working for them?

Since December.

What did you tell them?

Just the thing with the tape.

Just the thing with the tape.

I'm trying to defend us as much as I can.

If I didn't, we'd all be busted already.

I won't tell anyone.

Bul can't just ignore it.

- Milan! Wine?

- Thank you.

- Want some?

- Sure!

- He never told us he had a brother!

- He was probably ashamed of me!

Do you have wine or should I get more?

We do and you should!

Well, it's...

- We're happy.

- It helps the team.

You fell asleep with the kids, didn't you?

- Turn the music down?

- No, it's fine.

Milan!

A brain tumor.

We don't know what stage

and nobody knows

how it's going to progress.

Thank you.

Believe me, dear listeners,

the fact that I can be here in the studio

and talk to you off the top of my head

so to speak

instead of reading a preapproved text

is something I consider

a true victory of our nation.

In the recent months

of newly gained freedom,

please, think of our editor-in-chief,

Milan Weiner, who is battling

a severe disease.

In this new

democratic socialism,

try to finally find the time to think

about who or what really matters

in your life.

Good night.

Happy birthday!

AUGUST 20

Havlk speaking.

Good evening.

Welcome, Mr. Havlk. Come in!

I'm sorry to bring you here

this late at night

but it's a bit of an emergency.

Take a seat.

You are one of the first people

in this country to find out.

Anytime now, the Soviet

and other Warsaw Pact armies

will cross our borders.

They are heading to Prague,

their planes are already landing.

You need to go to the Radio

and facilitate the broadcast

of this news item.

It says that these armies represent

international aid

against fascists in Czechoslovakia.

And that these armies have been invited

by the leaders of our country.

But that...

It isn't true!

You need to do it as soon as possible.

This is the worst moment to take risks.

At this point, it's easy to pick your side.

You needed to insert someone with Weiner.

To be safe

no matter how things turned out.

Tom,

you need to see it

in the broadest possible context.

Armies of five countries

are coming to Czechoslovakia.

Including the Soviet one.

I don't think your parents

would like you to play hero.

They wouldn't like to see you

fail to take care of Pavel either.

Him being unable to go to college,

to live in dignity.

All because of you.

Am I right?

I don't know.

I don't know

what my parents would've liked.

But I don't want the person I'm raising

to be ashamed of me.

I don't know what broader context

I should see it in.

If the Radio says anything else than this,

I'll have the transmitters shut down.

- What're you doing?

- Pack your stuff, the Russians are here!

- What?

- They're invading us. Pack up your stuff!

Wait! Are we running away?

You gotta leave, I'm staying.

Are you crazy?

I'm not going anywhere without you!

Pavel!

Please, pack your things and leave now!

I gotta go to the Radio.

Pavel, dear,

there's some money hidden

between the mats in the bathroom.

Take it and get out of the country

while you can.

Promise me!

Promise me!

Hello?

CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO

I'm serious,

they're landing in Prague now.

Gentlemen! I've been looking for you.

We need to connect

the army switch room.

These are all the security keys,

charts and manuals.

We can keep broadcasting

either from our switch room

or the army wartime switch room.

It'll broadcast from all our offices

in Prague and other cities.

We'll all share a single wire connection.

We'll have to pass it to each other

like in a relay.

What's going on?

KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA DAILY

MOSCOW

INTERNATIONAL AID FOR CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Dobrovsk, hello?

Sooner or later,

we may get busted for this.

Not just the people who will speak on air.

It's okay if you decide to leave now.

But you have to decide now.

We need to lock the building

as soon as possible.

It's only a matter of time

before the troops find the Radio.

But we'll keep broadcasting

as long as possible.

As long as our legitimate government

is in power.

Dear listeners, keep your radios on.

Wake up your loved ones

and your neighbors.

We are about to make an announcement

of exceptional importance.

Good evening. Good evening.

God bless you!

Karel Jezdinsk, Czechoslovak Radio.

We need comrade Dubek's statement

while we can still run it.

We don't know how much time we have left.

Have you lost your mind?

Tanks are coming and you want

to tell people to relax and go to work?

What do you expect to happen

when an angry mob clashes with this army?

Government statement.

Yes?

I'm off.

ON AIR

Dear listeners!

Yesterday, that is on August 20,

at around 11 pm,

the armies of the Soviet Union,

Poland,

East Germany,

Hungary,

and Bulgaria

crossed the borders of Czechoslovakia.

It happened without the knowledge

of our president

or the First Secretary

of the Communist Party Alexander Dubek.

The Party's Central Committee considers

this an act of aggression

in violation of the basic tenets

of international law.

At the same time...

...to prevent unnecessary bloodshed.

Karel, we're off the air, there's just static.

Excellent. Thank you. Honor to labor!

Call Dubek!

Hoffman had the transmitter shut down.

Call Dubek, damn it!

I'll patch him through.

LIBLICE RADIO TRANSMITTER TOWER

Liblice transmitter, Jonek speaking.

This is Czechoslovak Radio.

General Secretary Alexander Dubek

wants to speak with you.

What?

Of course!

b*stards!

We stand with you! We stand with you!

We don't know how much longer

we'll stay on air

but we'll keep broadcasting

as long as we can.

USSR

DAILY NEWS

MOSCOW

Fascists in Czechoslovakia!

We are aiding Prague!

It's an invasion, you idiots!

What do you know about it? You fascist!

Unfortunately, we have sad news.

Soviet invaders are sh**ting at civilians.

People have been k*lled in Prague

and the injured number in the hundreds.

The troops mistook

the National Museum for the Radio

and kept firing at it incessantly

for several minutes.

But it seems they are

already on their way here

to stop free radio broadcast.

- We've been disconnected.

- What?

They shut down our connection to Prague.

Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!

We're still in the studio and...

Dear listeners, we're still in the studio

but tanks are already

in front of the building

which is being protected

by a brave unarmed crowd.

Again, we unequivocally declare

our support for our legitimate government

which doesn't approve of this invasion.

Stand aside!

Stand aside! It's pointless!

Embassy of East Germany

Embassy of the Soviet Union

Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!

Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!

Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!

Zdenk...last name?

Zdenk imr.

Hands up! Move it!

They're inside the building.

The troops are inside the building.

They're inside the building.

Vra, they're inside the building

and they're coming here.

Dear listeners, the troops

are already inside the Radio building

and soon, they'll reach the upper floors.

Soon, we'll play the state anthem

which will probably mark

the end of free radio broadcast.

Hands up!

Get out! Move it!

Get out of the building! Move it!

Go! Go!

Out of the building!

They're here!

We stand with you, stand with us!

Let us pray!

- Mr. Petrnek!

- I'm sorry!

The room!

Petrnek, ovkov, Dienstbier,

Jezdinsk, ermk. Where are they?

Hello!

SCOUT CHILDREN'S CLUB

- Did you see what happened?

- Yes.

- Can I ask you a few questions?

- Sure.

We're on ern street in Prague.

ITALIAN EMBASSY IN PRAGUE

- Hello!

- Welcome!

Here you go: the BBC.

Will it work?

That depends on Tom.

What are you doing here? Drop it!

Where there is doubt, let me bring faith.

Where there is despair,

let me bring hope.

Where there is sadness, let me bring joy.

Where there is darkness,

let me bring light.

He says someone has to man the switch room

to facilitate regular city operation.

It would only cause more chaos!

You don't want that, do you?

I am a Secret Police agent,

we're with you! You can check!

He says he's a Secret Police agent.

Check if he's telling the truth!

(names of the legitimate leaders

of Czechoslovakia)

Simona!

The printing press is running!

Trust in the legitimate...

Don't aid the invaders.

INVADERS, GO BACK HOME!

No news yet.

We're waiting for him to connect to us.

Maybe they already got him.

There must be troops everywhere by now.

He's telling the truth.

If he escapes, you're dead.

The bakery in Charles Square

can start baking.

Bread delivery has resumed.

Flour is rationed out.

Charles Square starts baking first,

Karln 15 minutes later,

other bakeries will follow.

We're patched through.

We're patched through,

all on a single wire.

We'll take turns every 15 minutes

until the army switch room comes online.

Call others in all regions!

This is Czechoslovak Radio staff.

We're back on air!

We support our legitimate government

and condemn the invasion

of the Warsaw Pact armies.

We stand with you, stand with us!

Comrade director!

The troops control the Radio building.

Impossible! Get the car!

MILITARY WARTIME SWITCH ROOM

We have information about the first

citizens fleeing Czechoslovakia.

They are requesting asylum in Austria.

Yes, they are requesting

asylum in Austria.

People are burning Soviet books

and trying to fight

against the overwhelming military power

in smart ways to avoid bloodshed.

To the Radio. Quick!

Damn it!

Dubek, Svoboda! Dubek, freedom!

WE TRUST YOU!

In the streets, people are calling

for our leaders.

But several sources have confirmed

our leaders have been captured

by the invaders

and abducted to an unknown location.

The 18-year-old student

who blocked the troops' path

in front of the Party

Central Committee building

was shot in the head

and many others were wounded.

The army switch room is online.

You can disconnect the main building

and get out of there.

Right, thank you.

What?

Who are you?

Don't move!

...and the pine tree reaches the star.

Because I am not a wolf by blood

- and only my...

- What's going on here?

Go home, boy!

Go home!

Don't move!

f*cking traitors!

Don't move!

Damn it!

How come they're still on air?

They're broadcasting through

an army switch room for wartime use.

So why aren't we there already?

Because I don't f*cking know where it is!

Dear listeners, more studios are

joining our relay broadcast.

We'll get the news from

Pilsen and esk Budjovice

but first, let's hear from playwright

Vclav Havel and Jan Tska in Liberec.

Thank you gentlemen.

What's the situation over there?

- To Podol, right?

- Yeah.

Stop!

Don't stop! Don't stop!

Stop!

Stop that car! Stop that car!

Yes...

Definitely.

We've just been informed that in Podol,

the Soviets shot a car into pieces.

The people inside were students

distributing leaflets.

According to this yet unverified

information, none of them survived.

(names of the legitimate leaders

of Czechoslovakia)

CZECHOSLOVAK RADIO

The Na Frantiku Hospital

seeks volunteers amid a power outage

which has also struck other essential

services as well as households.

As of yet, there is no news

from our leaders in Moscow.

We will persevere

as long as the leaders

of our country persevere.

Shame on you, Moscow!

Shame on you, Budapest!

Shame on all of you

who have brought violence and evil

to the finally free Czechoslovakia!

What?

Dear listeners! Our leaders are returning

from negotiations in Moscow.

They are asking Radio employees

to connect the Central Committee studio

and let Alexander Dubek

speak to the nation.

We stand with you, stand with us.

Czechoslovak leaders are returning

after six days of negotiations in Moscow.

People can't wait

to hear their message to the nation.

We are certainly very hopeful,

hoping to hear good news

regarding our future.

The others just arrived at the Castle.

Dubek's speech is supposed

to start in 15 minutes.

Okay.

Yes. Thank you.

Do you hear me?

Yeah.

Connecting in three, two, one...

Dear fellow citizens and comrades.

Today we all understand

that from now on, things won't be simple.

Things will be complicated.

But no matter what turns life takes...

...our nation belongs

to the community of socialist nations

That's a surrender!

And socialist countries.

CZECHOSLOVAK BORDER

WARNING! STATE BORDER!

Tom, I'm not sure

if I can handle living here.

Let's leave together!

Pavel left the country.

Let's leave too!

We can't all just leave!

Or nothing will ever change here.

Some are more useful abroad,

some here.

I got you something.

To remember me.

Good luck!

International Life newsroom.

- Can you take it downstairs for approval?

- Yep.

And make me a coffee. Thank you!

Hey Tom! I'm writing from Austria...

It's the last one

they allowed to be delivered.

Can I write back to him?

But we want to give you one more chance.

- What is it?

- A letter to your peers.

An apology for your activities

during the arrival of the friendly armies

and a condemnation of your colleagues

who collaborated on the ill*gal broadcast.

If you sign, everything will be forgotten

and you can stay at the Radio.

Business as usual.

Tom.

Goodbye.

Hey!

I heard you got asylum in Austria.

I did.

But I came back.

Why?

WAVES

AZ Translations

Journalists who didn't yield to the regime

and decided to stay in Czechoslovakia

were persecuted and forced to accept jobs

that were inadequate

to their qualifications.

Along with their families, they faced

psychological and physical assaults

until the 1989 revolution.

They persevered.

Dedicated to all courageous journalists.

We stand with you.