Helena Šimáčková

A dramatization of a novella by American writer Henry James. This subtle, psychologically profound story is narrated by young literary scholar Henry Jones, who, while searching for documents related to the romantic poet Jeffrey Aspern, finds himself in Venice at the end of the 19th century. Juliana Bordereau, whom Aspern sang about in his work and who owns much of his correspondence, still lives there. However, Juliana refuses to show it to Jones because these letters are the only link connecting her to life. Jones therefore decides to resort to trickery. He moves in with Juliana under a false name as a lodger and, by pretending to be in love, wins over her niece Tina, who is ultimately willing to help him. However, it soon becomes clear that such manipulation of people, even if motivated by a noble goal, does not pay off.

A TV adaptation of a novel by Austrian writer Stefan Zweig. The tragic love story of a lame girl and a lieutenant provides a framework for reflection on human compassion. A young officer wants to gain status and is looking for a "good match." He insinuates himself into the home of a local wealthy man, partly because he loves his niece. Under unfortunate circumstances, he discovers that the wealthy man's daughter has been paralyzed from the waist down for some time. She takes the officer's apologies and frequent visits as a sign of affection. She believes him and begins to hope again that she will recover. This is also so that she can be an equal partner to him, like other women. At first, the officer plays along.

A TV adaptation of the novel "Bread Upon the Waters" by American writer Irwin Shaw. Through the complicated lives of a high school teacher's family, who are infected by an influential and wealthy New York lawyer with the desire for social advancement, the author points to the demoralizing power of wealth, which destroys simple human happiness.