Hacker Cinema
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
1988 · Film · 171 min
Directed by Philip Kaufman
Successful surgeon Tomas leaves Prague for an operation, meets a young photographer named Tereza, and brings her back with him. Tereza is surprised to learn that Tomas is already having an affair with the bohemian Sabina, but when the Soviet invasion occurs, all three flee to Switzerland. Sabina begins an affair, Tom continues womanizing, and Tereza, disgusted, returns to Czechoslovakia. Realizing his mistake, Tomas decides to chase after her.
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3 comments on Hacker News
There are several other interesting Berlin/East Germany films worth looking at. There is a very old and silly one called "One Two Three". It involves the Coca Cola. Not that it is a great film, but rather a Western/American take on Berlin at the time. Much better is "Good bye Lenin." Very haunting and peculiar. Not Berlin/East Germany but in the same vein is 'The Unbearable lightness of Being'.
For anyone thinking, "The words in the title sound sort of familiar, but I'm not sure why", it's a reference to "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", a great book by Milan Kundera which translated into Daniel Day-Lewis' worst film.
Hesse has come highly recommended. I added several of his books to my list of must-reads. I did a little research on Borges and think I'll have to read some of those stories. I think Unbearable Lightness of Being was recently adapted into a movie, as I didn't know it was a book. Will check it out.