Giacomo Casanova – A Meteor of Europe

Casanova was a meteor that lit up the skies of Europe and concluded his turbulent life in Bohemia at Duchcov Chateau on June 4, 1798. Over the years, a flood of literary, cinematic, and theatrical interpretations has focused primarily on his amorous adventures. These portrayals have distorted his image in the eyes of the wider public. In truth, Casanova was a brilliant writer and philosopher, as well as a cabalist, Freemason, spy, gambler, playwright, and diplomat.
 

Poesia Galante – A Film Essay
 

Casanova’s vast literary legacy has largely ignored his poetry, although his archival estate includes around 350 poetic works—lyrical, epic, and dramatic. His poems emerged spontaneously, often inspired by an encounter with a personality or by a significant experience.

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Casanova was also a connoisseur of women. It was to them he dedicated his galant poetry, which remains virtually unknown to this day and has never been published. The screenplay was written by art historian Karel Holub, whose 2023 monograph Salve Casanova thoroughly explores Casanova's life and work. His upcoming publication Casanova in Prague is currently in print.

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The film essay presents seven of Casanova’s poems, interpreted by actor Pavel Rímský. Directed by Martin Hanzlíček, the selected poems range from tender lyrical declarations to his daughter Sofia to conspiratorial advice addressed to the courtesan Caton. Casanova wrote poetry not only in Italian but also—predominantly—in French, the lingua franca of the cultural world at the time. His poems reflect a temperament driven by the pursuit of pleasure as well as deep experiences of love and disappointment, perceived as mutual.

Visual Concept

The intention is to visually revive the poetic world of Casanova and the atmosphere of the 18th century, with a strong emphasis on authentic settings—allowing the viewer to feel the breath of bygone times, uncovering the splendors and shadows of history (London, Vienna, Florence, Bologna, Rome, Riga, Dresden, Duchcov Chateau).

The visual storytelling unfolds like an ancient saga, interwoven with the threads of fate and grand journeys. Our camera becomes a witness to the protagonist’s travels, which spanned thousands of miles across Europe—each step a stitch in the tapestry of history.

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The cinematic language is complemented by Baroque aesthetics, resonating with universal themes of longing, disappointment, and the quest for meaning—testaments to the human spirit rendered onto film with reverence for legend and history.

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The film will feature French and Italian subtitles faithful to the original language of the poems, based on surviving manuscripts.

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Distribution Plan

1. The film will be offered to both Czech and international television networks.

2. It will be screened regularly at Duchcov Chateau (approx. 15,000 visitors during the season).

3. A gala premiere will take place in autumn at the La Fabrika theater in Prague (you will receive an invitation).

 

Partnership Offer: Duchcov Chateau Logo Placement

• In the film’s closing credits

• On all accompanying printed materials

• Selected film footage made available for your promotional use

 

Giacomo Casanova – Poesia Galante
A Film Essay

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Languages: Czech / French / Italian
Genre: Film Essay
Duration: 40 minutes

Director/Editor: Martin Hanzlíček
Concept: Karel Holub
Screenplay: Karel Holub
Recitation: Pavel Rímský
Poem Translation: Jindřich Pokorný
Cinematography: Kurt Neubauer
Sound/Music: Petr Šoupa Studio

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Cast:
René Hertum – Casanova
Zdeněk Maryška – Casanova
Pavla Michálková
Petr Kavan
Barbara Sigmundová
...and others

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Animation: Jakub Semrád
Artistic Collaboration: Atelier Pavla & Olga
Make-up: Dana Goldová
Graphics: Martin Pálka

Production Company: Arte Bohemien / Foundation Fund

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Authors

Karel Holub (*1946, Prague) – Art Historian
Author and editor of numerous art monographs, exhibition catalogs, and film screenplays.

Selected Publications:

• Young Czech Sculptors (Odeon, 1978)

• Rudolf Kremlička (Pressfoto, 1980)

• Laid Tables in the Time of Emperor Rudolf II (1997)

• Grand Café Slavia (1998)

• Art Treasures of Ostrava (1998)

• Beuron Art (1999)

• Čhajori romaňi (1999)

• Dúral me avilem (2000)

• Internet – Feast of Information (2001)

• Jan Šafránek (2008)

• City in Motion (2008)

• Prague – Centre of Art (2011)

• Réservation historique de Prague (2011)

• Art and Gastronomy (2011)

• Festina Lente (Paris, 2014)

• Michel Detré (Paris, 2015)

• In Times of Truth (2021)

• Salve Casanova – Giacomo Girolamo (2022)

• Casanova and Prague (to be published September 2025)

 

Film Scripts:

• Hands and Form (Czech TV Ostrava, 1984–85)

• Grand Café Slavia (Czech TV, 1997)

• The Belly of Parisian Memories (2002)
  …and more on Wikipedia: [Karel Holub – art historian]

 

Director: Martin Hanzlíček

• 1983: Graduated from FAMU, Department of Documentary Film

• 1984: Collaboration with Slovak Television (40+ documentaries)

• 1992: Editor-in-chief, Educational Programs, Czechoslovak TV

• 1995+: Work with Czech TV, Encyclopaedia Britannica project

• 2002: Honorary Citizens series (awarded FITES Prize)

• Other works: How We Live… (FEBIO), GEN, Dawn of Genius, 75 Years of E. Bondy, Alone Against Himself (STV, 3rd prize at ARS&FILM), Landscape of Our Ancestors, The Long Short Journey, Stories for Natálka, Goosebumps – Chills, etc.

• 2025: Petr Kavan – The Wheels of Fate (Czech TV)

 

Recitation of Casanova’s Verses: Pavel Rímský

Pavel Rímský is a Czech theater, film, and television actor, and a prominent voice-over and dubbing artist. Since 1997, he has been a member of the Vinohrady Theater in Prague, where he has portrayed many major roles.

Known for his distinctive, emotionally rich voice, he is one of the leading Czech voice artists, having dubbed:
Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Scooby-Doo, and many more.

 

Audiobooks:

• The Witches’ Hammer (2013)

• Padrino Krejčíř series (2015–16)

• Stalker (2015)

• Churchill Factor (2016)

• East of Eden (2017)

• Black Earth, I Did Not Allow Fear (2018)
  …and more on Wikipedia: [Pavel Rímský]