Reconstruction of Occupation (Rekonstrukce okupace) is a documentary by Czech filmmaker Jan Šikl that examines the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. The film is based on several hours of previously unseen footage shot by Czech military cameramen during the invasion, discovered in private archives after over 50 years. Šikl, who has spent decades collecting amateur films from local families, uses this footage to reconstruct the events of the occupation.
The documentary focuses on identifying and locating the individuals captured in the footage—soldiers, students, and workers—and reviving their memories of that time. Through their personal stories, the film revisits this pivotal historical moment and explores its lasting impact on the present. Šikl’s work highlights how historical events continue to shape contemporary life and memory.
Reconstruction of Occupation has been featured at several international film festivals, where it has been praised for its thoughtful approach to documentary filmmaking and its exploration of historical truth. The film serves as a significant reminder of the importance of preserving and understanding history.
While Šikl claims not to try to pass judgment throughout the film, he does a poor job of finding multiple viewpoints, making Reconstruction of Occupation amplify heavily anti-communist voices. I feel this documentary would have been much more interesting if he had managed to find a few people who supported the Soviet’s actions or were less radical and outright hateful. The film also lacks organization in a way that makes it hard for those unacquainted with the Prague Spring to follow what is going on. This is not a beginner’s documentary: It requires preexisting knowledge.
These critiques aside, Reconstruction of Occupation shows us how memory, media, and politics help to shape history. Many of the films Šikl uses during the documentary were left sitting in garages closets and attics throughout the modern-day Czech Republic for decades. Without these perspectives, it is difficult to fully understand the events that transpired in 1968. Library patrons or students interested in Cold War history will want to see Reconstruction of Occupation. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public library shelves?
Reconstruction of Occupation belongs on public library shelves under European history, particularly within sections focused on Cold War history or 20th-century European political events. It could also be placed in documentary film collections, especially those focusing on historical memory, Soviet Bloc politics, and resistance movements. For patrons interested in political documentaries or the impact of media on historical narratives, this film would be a valuable resource.
What kind of college instructor could use this title?
College instructors teaching courses on Cold War history, Soviet Bloc politics, or 20th-century European history would find Reconstruction of Occupation valuable. It could also be useful for those focusing on Eastern European studies, the history of the Warsaw Pact, or the Prague Spring. Additionally, professors of film studies or media studies might use it to discuss the role of archival footage in documentary filmmaking, historical memory, and the impact of media on shaping political narratives. Courses on historiography or the ethics of documentary work could also benefit from this title.
Director's Bio
Director Jan Šikl, born on February 22, 1957, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, is a renowned Czech filmmaker. He graduated from the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in 1982. Šikl has an extensive career that includes working as a director at Krátký Film Praha from 1984 to 1990, where he produced several documentary films and screenplays. In 1991, he founded his own production company, Pragafilm. His notable works include Reconstruction of Occupation (2021) and Private Century, a series of documentary films produced in collaboration with Czech Television and European TV companies. His films have been showcased at various international film festivals, including the Telluride Film Festival and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and have won several awards.
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Film Festivals
- Best Documentary - Imagineindia International Film Festival, Spain
- Best Historical Documentary – Beyond Borders Int’l Doc Festival, Greece
- Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Czech Republic
- Trieste International Film Festival, Italy
- Krakow International Film Festival, Poland
- Watch Docs Human Rights in Film International Festival, Poland
- Beldocs International Documentary Film Festival, Serbia
- Dokubaku International Documentary Film Festival, Azerbaijan
- International Human Rights Film Festival Albania (Ihrffa), Albania