Kawasaki’s Rose

A drama about family and politics, the role of memory in relationships, and that of jealousy, arrogance, love, loyalty and betrayal, KAWASAKI’S ROSE follows Pavel, a distinguished psychiatrist about to receive an award for his life’s work and his role as a dissident. His handsome wife and adoring grown daughter are pleased the honor is coming his way. But Ludek, his son-in-law, employed on a documentary crew filming Pavel, resents that his own family, rooted in Czechoslovakia’s communist past, ended up on the wrong side of history --- while his wife’s is now la crème de la crème. When Ludek discovers that Pavel may have collaborated with the secret police in order to silence a romantic rival, the plot thickens. KAWASAKI’S ROSE considers the ways in which the past never stops informing the present, especially in societies where secrets were the way of life, and professional or personal success could depend upon a single well-placed piece of information, be it true or false.

“A meticulous, bittersweet Czech drama about the importance of memory and the need for forgiveness.” (Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve)

“Masterly...nuanced, morally complex and beautifully acted...hopefully many...will get a chance to see this sophisticated and quietly devastating work.” (David Ansen, Newsweek)