In the 1800s, countries held World Expositions to demonstrate their advancement. They included attractions like human zoos – exhibitions of so-called primitives. What if Czechs, as a “primitive” nation under German influence, used the World Expo to make their own human zoo, but only with the aim of pulling one over on everyone?
Tales of nationhood are usually taken so seriously as to become ridiculous. But when you set off from a standpoint that is sarcastic and aloof, you can uncover more serious themes from the bottom up. We succeeded in doing this in the film Peacock (Sundance Short Film Special Jury Award for Best Direction), a dark comedy about the secrets and lies of a real Czech patriot.
Our characters grew up in the era of electricity and modernity. We grew up in an age of video and postmodernism. Why not combine the two? Film the “birth of the nation” as if it were a pop hit, a rollercoaster, a "Bohemian Rhapsody"?
In our story, the truth gets lost amid various perspectives – ultimately, we are left thinking that truth itself is just a well-told lie. To this end, we switch genres, from mystery to paranoid thriller to Greek tragedy. And all the while with a crafty sneer.