Rostislav Čtvrtlík

A doctor in early 19th-century Germany becomes infatuated with the sister of a man he unintentionally killed and bargains with the Devil incarnate to conjure their union in exchange for his soul.

The fairy tale tells the story of a very wise Japanese judge, Ooka, who, when judging disputes between merchants, slaves, and even mayors, always listens to both sides first and then makes a fair decision. With his tricks and correctly asked questions, no perjurer or swindler escapes his notice.

Set in Czechoslovakia, the drama follows the lives of its characters against the backdrop of real historical events that shape their personal stories. To evoke period atmosphere, the series intersperses authentic clips from vintage Czechoslovak film newsreels, using their original commentaries or newly recorded historical voice-overs by Vladimír Fišer. A narrator, initially voiced by Vojtěch Kotek and later by Matěj Hádek, provides continuity and reflection, guiding viewers through changing times. Under the guidance of screenwriter Rudolf Merkner, each episode’s script weaves family and individual dramas into key moments of Czech and Slovak history: political shifts, cultural trends, and social transformations from the 1960s onward.

At a Czech sanatorium for children with respiratory issues, teens form friendships and experience first love amidst coming-of-age struggles.