Video Kings

Documentary dealing with the phenomenon of the import, copying, and dubbing of films from the west in socialist Czechoslovakia, and marginally also in Poland and Hungary. In the times when it was impossible to officially get films produced in the western countries, there were groups of people who smuggled these films, dubbed them at home, and distributed them on VHS tapes. The documentary also follows the “justice” side of the picture – the police, who were ordered to find these smugglers and dubbers. The film features many big names of the video scene of that time – many of whom later became publicists, directors, singers, translators, and video rental store owners.