The original concept of the film was to collect in a way the emergence of the brave building of the National Library. During the filming, the situation changed dramatically. We present the documentary by Olga Špátová as a memory of the architect Jan Kaplický, whose death we commemorated 10 years ago (2008)
A documentary about the project of the National Library, known as the Octopus and designed by architect Jan Kaplický (1937–2009), whose sad 10th anniversary of his death we recently remembered. Over the years, the project became the most famous political and social controversy. The author, Olga Špátová, was involved in everything. She recorded Jan Kaplický's joy at winning the competition as well as the dismissive reaction of President Václav Klaus, the questioning of the chosen site for realization, and the obscure bureaucratic delays, all the way to Kaplický's sudden death and the subsequent cancellation of the planned building. A number of well-known personalities, including former President Václav Havel, engaged in the dispute. His letter to Kaplický's daughter Johanka forms one of the plot points of the film.
The collage by director Olga Špátová connects an exciting story about artistic imagination, civil engagement, and political intrigue. The tragic epilogue (Kaplický's death on the day his daughter was born) confirms the view that real fate is often more dramatic than the most ambitious fiction.
The film was awarded at the 26th International Film Festival in Warsaw in October 2010, receiving the main prize in the documentary film section.
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