History fascinates me, namely World War II. Also the question of the boundaries that determine our lives. I’m an emigrant, a political refugee. Born in Pilsen, I experienced a refugee camp in Austria. I graduated in Architecture, lived and worked in New York. That’s why I perceive borders differently. People of many nationalities live on Manhattan Island and they get along: they have changed my view of my own past.
In 1995, while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen by the American army, I met Charles Schaeffer in the main square in Pilsen. He was the first American soldier, the second lieutenant of the 16th Armored Division of General Patton’s Third Army, to enter the Wehrmacht Commander’s Building in Pilsen, to secure an unconditional surrender. He witnessed the last attempt of the German occupiers to resist and also the suicide of the commander of the German troops, Georg von Majewski. We stayed in touch. When he wrote me that he would come to Pilsen again for the 60th anniversary of the liberation in May 2005, I decided to go too, with a video camera. In addition to Charles, I met other American veterans, who were there during the May 6th liberation in 1945. I also met those who commemorate the events by repairing historic vehicles – especially Jeep Willys – and meet in American uniforms every year in Pilsen. The reenactors. I also came across the controversial theme of the statue of General Patton. The result is a short documentary SUGARCUBES & CHOCOLATE / CUKROVÉ KOSTKY A ČOKOLÁDA. It premiered in New York in 2006.
