Kodet Family Condemns Politicization of ‘Pelíšky’ Film Scene

The family of the late actor Jiří Kodet has publicly condemned Czech politician Jindřich Rajchl for using a scene from the iconic Czech film Pelíšky (Bedtime Stories) in a critical post targeting President Petr Pavel. The dispute centers on Rajchl’s employ of the film clip to suggest Pavel improperly dispatched his wife, Eva Pavlová, to a recent demonstration organized by the Million Moments for Democracy movement.

Barbora Šporclová Kodetová, daughter of the late actor, released a statement on social media vehemently objecting to the appropriation of her father’s work for political purposes. “We, as a family, strongly object to the misuse of our father’s name and his acting performance in the film Pelíšky for current political purposes,” Kodetová wrote. She further stated that her father, a staunch advocate for democracy, decency, and responsibility, would find it unacceptable to be associated with political entities such as PRO, SPD, ANO 2011, or Motoristé sobě.

Rajchl, the chairman of the PRO party (Právo Respekt Odbornost – Law, Respect, Expertise), posted the clip to his social media account alongside a message criticizing Pavel as a “coward” for allegedly sending his wife to the demonstration in his stead. He acknowledged wanting to create his own video but stated, “I couldn’t have done it as brilliantly as Jiří Kodet.” The scene in question depicts Kodet’s character, Václav Krause, responding to a message delivered by a neighbor, questioning why the sender didn’t come personally. Rajchl selectively used a portion of the dialogue where Kodet’s character raises his voice, omitting the initial exchange.

Kodetová’s statement demanded the removal of Rajchl’s post, arguing that extracting dialogue from the film and applying it to political attacks is misleading and disrespectful to her father’s legacy. “Dialogues from the film Pelíšky are part of an artistic work, and their removal from context and use for political attacks is misleading and disrespectful,” she said.

Jan Hřebejk, the director of Pelíšky, also weighed in, sharply criticizing Rajchl. According to reporting by Forum 24, Hřebejk dismissed Rajchl’s attempt at political commentary, stating that his film was “not a pornographic and nagl-like mess from a Russian backside, like the whole Doctor Rajchl, whom we shun.”

As of Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Rajchl has not publicly responded to the criticisms from Kodetová or Hřebejk. The controversy highlights the increasing trend of political figures utilizing cultural touchstones for partisan messaging, and the resulting backlash from those seeking to protect the artistic integrity and legacy of prominent figures.