Alena Mihulová Vlasta

Alena Mihulová landed her first leading role in 1983 at the age of 17 and immediatelly became both critics‘ and viewers‘ darling. Quite symbolically she played a nurse in her first film too! In 1994 she starred in „Krava“ („The Cow“, directed by her husband, top Czech director Karel Kachyna) – the film won „Best Feature“ at Chicago International Film Festival. With a major role coming only once a decade, her star turn in „Home care“ is considered glorious comeback in a career spanning more than 30 years.

How would you introduce your role?

Vlasta is a mother, wife, home care nurse, but she is not giving her 100% to it, she gives 150%. I can‘t even imagine how far would this woman go if what happened to her did not happen.

Can you remember your feelings after you read the script?

„Oh my God, it was written for me!“ And then I started to think how to make the director to see it as well. We were meeting for about a year, but I was too young for the role. So I just tried to look worse and more devastated for all the future meetings. And at the last camera test, after I exchanged few words with Bolek Polivka (set to play the husband), I knew we belong together.

What do you wish for the finished film now?

Now I just hope that all viewers will pause and think about their lives for a moment - that‘s what I really wish for. For people to stop, think about life, so they would leave the movie theater with something meaningful. So they want to live their lives the way they want and do something about it.

Boleslav Polívka Husband Lada

Boleslav Polívka is a true legend of Czech cinema with over 40 movies under his belt. Known for his versatile talent and witty humor, he is a founder and artistic director of the Theatre of Bolek Polivka (Brno, Czech Republic). Polívka's work as a mime performer has been widely acclaimed in the Czech Republic and beyond. Audiences worldwide also remember him for a lead in Oscar nominated film “Divided We Fall” (directed by Jan Hrebejk, 2000) and Bohdan Slama's “Something Like Happiness” awarded Golden Seashell in San Sebastian IFF 2005. He is the winner – among many Czech film awards - of “Best Actor” award at Karlovy Vary IFF 1997 for his turn in “Forgotten Light”.

Who is your Lada, where did you get inspired?

I had the inspiration always in front of my eyes. It‘s the father of the director Slavek. We filmed in his parent’s house, in their vineyard, their garden, or in the father’s workshop. I realized once again how difficult it is to transfer amazing, beautiful and vivid life onto a screen. And I admire anybody who tries just that.

Were you taken by script right from the start?

I loved it. I laughed often and I didn‘t even know then that my partner and wife would be Alena Mihulova, who makes everything she touches famous and fabulous. We haven‘t met at work but I have to say, as all great actresses, she was focused, real and beautifully vibrant. Vulnerable but triumphant.

Was any scene during filming more difficult than others?

Yes, making love next to a broken jug of plum brandy. You can‘t tell if my sighs are those of passion or those of pain and sorrow over the spilled brandy.

Did you enjoy working the debuting director Slavek Horak?

To be debuting has a lots of advantages. Freshness, relentlesness and with Slavek it‘s also his sense of humour, love and admirations for his coworkers. He wrote beautiful script and directed fantastic film. French say „chapeaux bas“, hats off.

Tatiana Vilhelmová Vlasta’s girlfriend

Tatiana Vilhelmová is major star of her generation in Czech republic. She is often awarded for her sensitive performances in films that stir a lot of attention internationally too. She was the leading lady in Bohdan Slama's “Something Like Happiness” awarded Golden Seashell at San Sebastian International Film Festival 2005.

How was your first reaction after you read the script? Did it take you long to decide if you want to go for it?

I read the script literally in one breath asking myself „Who the hell wrote this? This is great script!!!“ I didn‘t hesitate one minute.

Your partners on the set were Alena Mihulova and partially also Bolek Polivka, how do you see your colaboration?

I already worked with Bolek several times. But with Alena it was our first big collaboration. When I was a kid, I wanted to act like she did - and then I was discovered by Karel Kachyna, her life partner, and I met her in person!!! The fact that I could work with her on „Home Care“ is my childhood dream come true.