The Unbearable Lightness of Being
“A lovers’ story.”
1988•R•2h 51m•6.9•Released
DramaRomance
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.
Director
Philip Kaufman
Writer
Philip Kaufman, Jean-Claude Carrière
Budget
$17M
Revenue
$10M
Languages
Czech, English
Studio
The Saul Zaentz Company
Cast
Daniel Day-Lewis
Tomas
Juliette Binoche
Tereza
Lena Olin
Sabina
Derek de Lint
Franz
Stellan Skarsgård
The Engineer
Erland Josephson
The Ambassador
Pavel Landovský
Pavel
Donald Moffat
Chief Surgeon
Daniel Olbrychski
Interior Ministry Official
Tomasz Borkowy
Jiri
Bruce Myers
Czech Editor
Pavel Slabý
Pavel's Nephew
Pascale Kalensky
Nurse Katja
Jacques Ciron
Swiss Restaurant Manager
Anne Lonnberg
Swiss Photographer
Production
Company
The Saul Zaentz Company
Producer
Saul Zaentz
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