The American Letters

Although his wife Anna gave him nine children and maintained an elaborate creative environment for him to work in, Czech composer Antonín Dvorák was secretly in love with her sister, countess and actress Josefina Kounicová. This biopic, produced for television in the Czech Republic, focuses on the moment in 1894—shortly after the premiere of his "New World Symphony"—when he learns that Josefina has become seriously ill. The composer is at the height of his powers and fame; at 53, his genius shines around the world, and everything he has worked for is coming together. But the prospect of losing Josefina strikes fear into his heart, and he immediately heads for home. He has always lived as he thought he should, but now he wonders if he should instead surrender to the demands of his heart—even though it would mean severing family ties and disordering the private universe in which he has lived and thrived. (Denver International Film Festival)