Burning Bush (Horící ker) - First Season

HBO EUROPE presents

BURNING BUSH

BURNING BUSH PART 1

On August 21, 1968, the armies of the Warsaw Pact,

led by the USSR, invaded and occupied Czechoslovakia.

They crushed the democratization process that had begun that spring.

Prague, January 16, 1969, five months after the occupation

Call an ambulance!

- Stop him. - Mommy, he's burning.

Leave me alone.

Call an ambulance!

What is going on?

Step aside.

No, no, don't die...

Stand back, make way.

Stand back. You can't go there.

Excuse me!

Are you all right?

- I don't know. - You'd better come with us.

Briefcase...

What briefcase?

What did he say?

What briefcase?

He left his briefcase by the fountain.

Tell them... it wasn't a suicide.

It wasn't a suicide.

Jesus Christ.

It was gasoline, I smelled it.

- You were here? - I was standing over there.

Did anyone else see anything?

It was a young man.

Comrade Major, his briefcase.

He took off his coat, then poured it over himself...

This was in it.

You shouldn't have touched it.

Vojta!

None of you leave, my colleagues will take over.

What's going on?

We're going to the office.

- You're the best lawyer in Bohemia! -Don't exaggerate!

At least in Prague!

I didn't expect it to go so easy.

The judge was a good man.

I'd say he just wanted to get rid of us.

That is also possible.

Will you go for a drink with us?

I have to pick up my girls from kindergarten.

A student just set himself on fire on Wenceslas Square!

Just below the museum, I was standing right by him!

- Why? - To protest against the occupation.

He left a letter saying there is a whole group of them and

if we don't meet their demands, more will burn themselves.

Who was it?

I don't know.

- Is he alive? - I don't know.

- You saw the whole thing? - Yeah.

Come on, let's get back to the university.

- Are you OK? - Yes, I am fine.

- Are you sure? - Yes. A man threw his coat over him.

Ondrej. I need to stop off at home, I'll catch up with you.

- Now?! - I have to. I'll be there in an hour.

I'll give you a lift, I'm going your way.

Comrade Colonel, that young man left a letter. Let me read it.

Our nation finds itself on the brink of despair. We have decided

to protest and rouse the people of this country in the following way:

A group of us has decided to burn ourselves in support of our cause.

I had the honor of being selected first, so I gained the right

to write the first letters and become the first "human torch".

Our demands are: first, an immediate end to censorship.

Second: banning of the collaborationist newspaper "Zpravy".

If our demands are not met within five days,

by January 21, 1969, and if the people

do not call a general strike,

more "torches" will ignite. Torch no. 1.

Yes.

I understand.

Yes.

Well?

We have to stop them! Find out who those kids are,

who the hell talked them into it. Do whatever it takes to stop them!

This is what the Soviets have been waiting for. If we can't handle this,

they'll dismiss our government and take over. We can't let that happen.

Any news from your mother?

She called on Christmas. I'll probably go to see her in the summer.

- And your father? - He might go, too.

Well, thank you.

Vladka, be careful...

On Wenceslas Square at 3 pm, a 21-year-old student named J.P.

attempted to burn himself to death.

We are still waiting for further details.

You hear that?! It's bullshit!

You heard it yourself! They've been reporting it all evening!

Jan wouldn't kill himself!

This morning he told me his mom is coming to visit tomorrow!

Well, where is he then? He didn't come to school today.

So he blew school off today, so what?

Yeah, like Jan would do that!

Milan...

A group of us has decided to burn ourselves in support of our cause.

I had the honor of being selected first...

There are more of them.

We have to report this!

Wait!

What do you want to do?!

I better copy this...

In case they confiscate it.

No one called from the Science Faculty?

That's Vladka's responsibility. Where the hell is she?!

She said she had to stop off at home.

Guys! The medical faculty is going on strike with us!

Ondrej, I got the boy's name! It's Palach. He studies history.

Didn't I tell you? Two weeks ago a boy came here, sort of shy...

He proposed that we take over the radio and broadcast a strike appeal.

What?

His name was Palach. I sent him away.

Dr. Zikova?

Are you Jan Palach's doctor?

Journalists have to speak with the hospital director directly...

I won't let you see him! He is fighting for his life.

He has serious burns on more than 80% of his body.

Is he conscious?

Yes, but he received a high dose of Dolsin to ease the pain.

So he is conscious.

Yes.

Doctor, Palach is not alone. There is a whole group.

They want to keep burning themselves. We have to stop them.

I can't let you in to see him.

In that case, you will have to talk to him yourself.

You can't ask me to do that!

Don't you understand?! If we don't get their names from him,

in a couple of days you'll have one of his friends here!

If you question him now, you'll kill him and we'll never learn anything.

Can you get the door?

Mr. Palach, please go to the post office at 8 pm for an urgent call.

- Who's calling? - They said it was Prague, that's it.

Oh, thanks then. Goodbye.

Who was it?

From the Post office. I have a call from Prague at 8. Where's my wallet?

In the hall.

- From Jan? - I don't know.

Yes?

It's connected, booth number 2.

Thank you.

Yes?

Are you the brother of Jan Palach, born 8/11/1948?

Yes...

Your brother had a serious accident. He's in the hospital burn ward.

What... what happened?

We can discuss it in person. Can you come right away?

Yes.

What the hell do you want?

Can't you see that we're closed?

When is the next train to Prague, please?

At 5 o'clock. Can't you see there's a timetable? Leave me alone.

Good evening, we are broadcasting the radio news.

A police press report states that today around 3 pm on Wenceslas...

...J.P., a 21-year-old student, tried to burn himself to death.

He poured a flammable liquid on himself and lit his clothes on fire,

burning himself badly. His motives are being investigated.

The Student Movement leaders will be meeting at Albertov at midnight.

We want to make a joint announcement.

Please be reasonable. A great responsibility lies in your hands.

- Here you go, Comrade Minister. - Thank you.

We want to publish Palach's letter.

Who told you that...

Comrade Minister, the people deserve to know why Palach did this.

The government is considering this option.

Comrade Minister, while the government has been "considering"...

a person burned himself! What are you waiting for?!

There is no time. Give us a clear answer: will you support us or not?

I'll do everything I can. You have my word.

Is this OK?

Yeah, it's good.

...should refrain from activities that could lead to social unrest...

- Hi. - Hi.

Have you heard?

Unbelievable.

A 20-year-old. Do you think he'll survive?

From what I heard in the hospital, it would be better for him if he didn't.

Mommy...

Lucy.

What is it, Lucy?

A bad dream?

It's gone now, don't be afraid.

Everything is all right, Zuzana, go to sleep.

I'll lay with you, OK?

Dagmar?

Keep the change.

Can you direct me to the burn ward, please?

You need to go that way, sir.

- Where are you going? - I am Mr. Palach.

- Excuse me, you are...? - Palach.

Unfortunately, I can't let you see your brother now.

He managed to fall asleep, that's very important. Sit down, please.

Thank you.

What are the chances that he'll...?

His body is young and strong.

But still, anything is possible.

Where is our mother?

Mother?