Jaroslav started building his wooden boat in his tiny Czech village over forty years ago, knowing full well it might never reach its full potential. In landlocked communist Czechoslovakia, access to the ocean was restricted to one short period each year – and that wasn’t enough for Jaroslav. His dream? To sail around the world in a boat he built himself.
“It was a harsh government ruling,” said filmmaker Lindsey Taylor Jackson. “It was very violent and people were not allowed to travel many places. So he began building this even with no promise that he would ever be allowed to reach foreign waters. The idea of starting this incredible dream that may never come true but just having faith in it, following your heart – it’s the spirit of humanity and hope.”
Jackson tells his story in the upcoming documentary “Velvet Citizen,” filmed over three years in Ondejov, Czech Republic. She’d studied abroad in Prague after majoring in film at Keene State College, and then moved back to work on “Velvet Citizen,” staying in Ondejov and spending time with Jaroslav every day as he toiled endlessly on his boat.
With a rudimentary knowledge of the Czech language, the communication barrier between Jackson and Jaroslav was a factor, but it didn’t stop her from pushing on.
“I love challenges like that – I think I’m very abnormal,” Jackson joked.
Jackson would have her questions translated into Czech and then point at them on a page for Jaroslav to answer. It was a lesson in patience and perseverance – not unlike a 40-year boatbuilding mission – and a window into the unspoken interactions of everyday life.
“The most incredible part of this whole experience has been understanding how much is understood between people without language,” Jackson said.
Jackson was lucky enough to intern at Ken Burns’ Florentine Films and forge a connection there, and now, her documentary footage is in the capable hands of Craig Mellish, a two-time Emmy nominee with credits like Burns’ “The Vietnam War” and “Baseball.”
“There are no words for describing the feeling of knowing that your mentor is going to edit your film,” Jackson said.
A 20-minute teaser for “Velvet Citizen” will be shown Tuesday at the Peterborough Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. with a suggested donation of $7. Jackson will be on hand for a question-and-answer period after the showing.
Editor Ben Conant can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 226 or bconant@ledgertranscript.com.