Dear Oťásek,

I’m such a scatterbrain, because I’ve misplaced the toast I wrote a long time ago—I already told you that. Now I’m on antibiotics and corticosteroids and I’m not feeling very well… but at least a “few words.”

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book in one sitting! I was pleasantly surprised. You know, people are certainly influenced by the fact that they know many of the characters in the story either personally or from numerous stories. There’s no need to talk about what my beloved children’s group and your dad personally meant to me. But even just mentioning Bohunka and many others evokes numerous – even intimate – memories. Some of them are already somewhat buried. However, there are also a number of background details that you shed light on and which I only had a vague idea about, or knew about in a distorted way—if at all. After all, I was still watching the early 1970s from FAMU… In many ways, it was a troubled time, despite the fates and actions of individuals = it could be interesting even for non-filmmakers. In my opinion, the reviews you sent are admirably concise! Life in the shadow of history, the struggle to survive with dignity, compromise and courage, resilience, creativity as a form of resistance, a tribute to morality…! Especially at a time when people at Barrandov tend to look down on this period. Above all, it is excellently written, surprising (even the introduction is unexpected), and readable! The personal (private) and the general are combined with millimeter precision.

Simply, one big congratulations and, lest I forget: a big thank you!

Take care and best regards, Karel