“Free” is a documentary about how a person can change the world, as long as they are not doing it alone.
The story of friendship between Silvester Krčméry and Vladimír Jukl, dubbed “Generals of the Secret Church”, who played a significant role in the fight against totalitarianism in Czechoslovakia. They were already critical of the Slovak state (1939–1945) and were involved in the Slovak National Uprising. After the onset of communism, they were persecuted and spent many years in prison. Nevertheless, they continued their activities after their release. They founded circles, small enclaves of freedom where people could think freely and live in their faith. They distributed literature banned by the regime, published samizdat, organised petition events, pilgrimages, and rallies. The culmination of their efforts was the Candle Manifestation, which was attended by thousands of people who protested non-violently against the communist regime. The whole world became aware of their actions. Not long after, their movement was actively involved in the Velvet Revolution.