The LECA production company proceeds with its preparation for a feature film HUMAN FACE, to be inspired by the times and life of an eminent politician, a figure in the Prague “Dubček” Spring, and, at the same time, the man who was at the helm of the transformation efforts in 1968: Alexander Dubček.
Project for a feature film inspired by the life and the times of Alexander Dubček, at the occassion of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The producer, Andrej Antonio Leca, had the idea to bring the story of the politician with a human face onto the silver screen already a few years ago. He contacted an experienced screenwriter Karol Hlávka, and later, he engaged an important Russian director, Andrei Konchalovsky. The time demands of film business, sadly, did not allow Mr Konchalovskyi to continue his work on the project. However, the producer, Andrej Antonio Leca, came up with a bold plan:
“In February 2018, I have invited the world-respected director and screenwriter Krysztof Zanussi, who agreed to collaborate on the project from the position of an artistic and professional film consultant.” Zanussi’s being a part of the team is a great advantage for the project, as evidenced by his multi-faceted oeuvre, dealing with the most important problems that beset the humankind, his openness to anything new, the great range of his analytical thinking, and last, but not least, his high professionalism. When maestro Zanussi advised me to pick a Slovak assistant director, without hesitation, I have decided for Ľubomír Paulovič, whom I regard not only as a strong actor, but also a very good director. The same goes for Janka Liptáková, a dramaturge with much experience in theatre, television and film. Shortly thereafter, I have contacted the world-known Croatian director Lordan Zafranović, and to my great pleasure, he accepted the offer to became the main director. His previous films, exploring the pressures experienced by the ordinary people at extreme historical junctures, and the fact that his films attack the deepest roots of nationalism and undermine apologies of historical violence, guarantee that the story of the politician with a human face will be set into the broader geopolitical background of the historical drama of the year 1968, but also of the twentieth century as such.
The participation of Lordan Zafranović and Krysztof Zanussi foretells that the finished piece can be a success not only in Slovakia and Czechia, but also in the international film circles, and thus, be a good advertisement for our country and its indubitable place in Europe.”
At the same time, the producer invited several experts and witnesses in order to guarantee the strict historical accuracy: Major-General Svetozár Naďovič – an expert consultant, former chief of the Soviet army’s retreat from Czechoslovakia, and the historians, and close friends of Alexander Dubček at the same time – Professor Ivan Laluha and Docent Pavol Pollák, as well as a Member of the European Parliament, Docent Boris Zala. Alexander Dubček’s closest family will also contribute to the portrayal of his eminent personality in the film.
Given that the project’s main character is perhaps the most well-known Slovak person in the world, we believe that his story, implicated as it is in the world politics of the 60s and carrying a strong message of humankind’s freedom, will speak to the fragile present times. It might even offer a way out of its chaos. So that ideals, such as humanity, sincerity, and trust become reality at every time and for everyone.
Words & Photos: Leca Production