Talks with T. G. Masaryk

On September 26, 1928, visionary writer Karel Čapek and Czechoslovak president T.G. Masaryk meet in the gardens of Topolčianky castle to decide the fate of their joint literary work. TALKS WITH T. G. MASARYK reconstructs a single conversation between the “father of the nation” and the author during the First Czechoslovak Republic. Masaryk has just turned 78, while Čapek is in his late 30s. The film shows the inner life of these historical heroes as they grapple with questions of democracy. 

Based on quotes from a future book and their mutual correspondence, the film’s fictional dialogue frees the original format of literary conversation from binding conventions. Čapek and Masaryk reproach and offend each other, but also ask key questions that are both personal and about the social functions of a writer and a politician.