Šimon Gogola

A dramaturg is present during the writing of the screenplay, but does not write the film. A dramaturg is present on set, but does not direct the film. A dramaturg sits in on the editing process, but does not edit the film. A dramaturg is also involved in many other activities throughout a film’s production, yet performs none of them directly. In this sense, the dramaturg is invisible. The same could be said of the life of the distinguished Czechoslovak dramaturg Jan Gogola, who influenced countless stories throughout his career—including this documentary itself. His portrait is, in fact, being dramaturgically shaped in real time as the film unfolds.

The term found footage is given new meaning by a film where a random passer-by picks up the camera when asked to. We learn a lot about the city of Most in the most suitable place – a train station restaurant – where seemingly disconnected conversations take place about genius loci, unfulfilled loves and the price that always has to be paid.