Saturday, May 26, 2007

Saturday Frank: Prague 1990, With Václav Havel; On Cultural Matters, Censorship, And The Police State



From his Wiki page:

In early 1990, Zappa visited Czechoslovakia at the request of President Václav Havel, a lifelong fan, and was asked by Havel to serve as consultant for the government on trade, cultural matters and tourism. Zappa enthusiastically agreed and began meeting with corporate officials interested in investing in Czechoslovakia. Within a few weeks, however, the US administration put pressure on the Czech government to withdraw the appointment. Havel made Zappa an unofficial cultural attaché instead.

This appears to be raw footage shot during Frank's visit. And it's magnificent--just great to watch, whether or not you speak Czech*. The conversations are in English, though occasional bits of commentary in Czech (I think) are dotted throughout. While in Prague, Frank meets with President Vaclav Havel and speaks to an enthusiastic audience about censorship, privacy, and the role of the Police State in America; he then launches into a rendition of Love Of My Life.

(H/T marigoldmerion)

*I don't.

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