The talented Czech sculptor Otakar Švec was the winner of the tender in the 1950´s to design a Stalin memorial in Prague. His work became the largest European group sculpture of the time, also known under an ironic name The Meat Queue. The statue was destroyed in 1962. In the film, the artist is pictured not as a fanatical communist, but as a sensitive man who tried to live a normal and dignified life, and who wanted to preserve his professionalism, the love of his wife and the trust of his colleagues. However, the unexpected victory resulted in the biggest tragedy in his life.

“The leitmotiv of the film is the inner link between the intimate love relationship of Švec and his wife with the huge merciless mass of stone, which gradually becomes an absurd symbol of decline, not only for their marriage but also for the whole society,” said Jan Lekeš, creative producer of the film.

The huge model of the sculpture was created at Czech TV ateliers based on historic pictures and films. Stalin´s head alone is six meters tall. Some parts of the sculpture will be created digitally. However, the model standing on the Letna Hill above the Moldau River will be a remarkable object for Prague citizens and visitors during the shooting.

Shooting on the film started in Mlada Boleslav and will continue at various Prague locations.

Production information
Česká televize
Kavčí hory
140 00 Praha 4
Tel: 420 26113 1111
E.mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.ceskatelevice.cz

Credits:
Director and screenwriter: Viktor Polesný
DoP: David Ployhar
Production designer: Petr Fořt
Creative producer: Jan Lekeš
Cast: Jan Novotný, Zuzana Stivínová, Martin Kraus, Vladimír Polívka