Charlatan

(2020)

★ 6.7 IMDb · 149 votes

Genres: Drama

Year: 2020

Runtime: 118 мин

Country: Czech Republic, Ireland

Director: Agnieszka Holland

Cast: Josef Trojan, Ivan Trojan, Juraj Loj, Jaroslava Pokorná, Jana Kvantiková, Jiří Černý, Martin Sitta, Miroslav Hanuš, Vladimír Polívka, Melika Yildiz

Plot

Born in the early 20th century, herbalist Jan Mikolasek became rich and famous after curing countless diseases with unorthodox means. A true emblem of Czechoslovakia before World War II, the healer became even more appreciated during the Nazi occupation and the communist regime. Each regime appreciates his skill and protects him. But how much will it cost him to maintain his status in a new political change?

Herbalist Jan Mikolase dedicated his life to caring for the sick despite the immense obstacles he faced in his private and public life. Born at the turn of the 20th century, Mikolasek wins fame and fortune using unorthodox plant-based treatment methods to cure a wide range of diseases. Already a local institution in Czechoslovakia before World War II, the healer gains in reputation and wealth both during the Nazi occupation and under Communist rule. One after the other, each regime wants to use his skills and in return give him protection. But how high shall the costs be to maintain this status as the tide turns.