People (and Trivia) from the Making of Divided We Fall

Jan Hrebejk was thinking about Divided We Fall even before making the star-studded Cosy Dens. For the new project he succeeded in bringing together an exceptionally strong cast, from experienced Czech movie actors to faces better known to Slovak theater-goers.

Mr. Cizek is played by Boleslav Polivka, one of today's busiest actors (Expulsion from Paradise, The Bouquet, Out of the City, Cosy Dens, Forgotten Light). Until recently, Czechs knew him mainly as an outstanding comedian and entertainer (he has two variety programs on television), but his performances in the mainly serious roles he has taken on lately have surprised many a viewer. And indeed one of the five Czech Lions awarded this year to Divided We Fall belongs to him (the second time he's taken the Best Actor award-he won the first for the drama Forgotten Light). In addition, he was nominated this year for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the movie Out of the City directed by Tomas Vorel and produced by Total HelpArt T.H.A. and Czech Television.

His wife in the movie is portrayed by Anna Siskova, a new discovery in Czech film and until recently primarily an actress on the Slovak stage (at the successful theater Astorka Korzo 90). Film-goers can also currently see her in Martin Sulik's Landscape (2000).

Another Slovak theater actor, the talented Csongor Kassai, was also cast in an important role in Divided We Fall. He plays the part of the young Jewish man whom the Cizeks hide during the war. This actor from the Radosinsky Naive Theater is also featured in Landscape and was seen recently in The Magnificent Six (1999).

Horst Prohaska, the Czech-German who gives the Cizek family nothing but trouble, is played by a richly expressive, unconventional actor and master of improvisation, Jaroslav Dusek (Cosy Dens, Stone Bridge, Smoke, Don Gio). He recently made use of his ability to readily respond to any situation with humor while moderating at this year's gala Czech Lion awards ceremony where he turned in a wonderfully memorable and inimitable performance. He's on stage at his own Vizita Theater.

The director successfully cast Martin Huba in the small but important role of the German patriot. Two other actors in the film shone very brightly in Hrebejk's Cosy Dens: as a result, Simona Stasova (Victims and Murderers) has finally made it to the forefront of filmmaker and audience interest. The other, in contrast, is already a legend of Czech film, Jiri Kodet (Czech Lion for Cosy Dens and The Buttoners, 1997).

All actors from Divided We Fall agree that during filming an unusually good atmosphere reigned-not only due to the mutual harmony and professional teamwork of the actors and crew, but also thanks to the director's proverbial calm. According to Hrebejk, it is, of course, unavoidable that chaos accompany shooting, but it isn't necessary for a director to yell at everyone all the time.

Actors' Filmographies

BOLESLAV POLIVKA, Cizek
JAROSLAV DUSEK, Horst Prohaska
ANNA SISKOVA, Marie Cizkova
CSONGOR KASSAI, David Wiener
JIRI KODET, Doctor Fischer/Rybar
RICHARD TESARIK, captain
SIMONA STASOVA, Eva Simackova
JIRI PECHA, Frantisek Simacek
VLADIMIR MAREK, SS Officer
MARTIN HUBA, Albrecht Kepke