Synopsis
Dedicated home care nurse Vlasta attends her capricious patients in the Czech wine country, and lives for her husband Lada and her daughter, giving them more than they are asking for. Then, one day, things change and Vlasta is forced to step outside of her comfort zone. Drama and gentle humor intertwine as Vlasta realizes, for the first time in her life, that she might need some care, too.
Director’s Statement
My aim was to create an honest film about universal subjects that people are hesitant to discuss, in this case the subjects of compassion and dying. I wanted to infuse an emotional drama with specific humor, to tell a story that will remind viewers about their mortality, in order to better appreciate their loved ones, and also to remind them to take better care of themselves.
As our heroine fights for her life, she contends with the ordinary daily life of her picturesque southern Moravia village,her husband‘s dismissive humor and the spiritual mentality of her younger friend. These tensions create powerful dynamics as three different worldviews clash against each other. I chose to play the journey of self-discovery with a very particular local twist; drama and comedy always balancing each other. This specific approach enriches the emotional experience and this was my vision, to communicate subtly, yet directly “from heart to heart”, even if the film risked bordering on the naive. After all, it is a story of a good-hearted, simple character getting to know herself late in life, so a certain bittersweet kindness and my fondness for these characters
were absolutely crucial for finding a true feel for this film. The biggest challenge was to make the film come alive, with a big, pulsating heart. You can tell us if we succeeded with this labor of love called “Home Care”.
Slávek Horák
