The film chronicles the life of
Jan Palach from childhood until his death in 1969. The film starts during Palach's childhood. He gets lost in the woods and wanders in snow while his family tries to find him. The film then cuts to 1967 when Palach goes on a student work trip to
Kazakhstan. He befriends a young Russian who gets in trouble, but Palach stands up for him against his superior. The
Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia start when Palach his with his family in
Všetaty. He goes to
Prague where he participate in street demonstrations. Palach then visits France and learn about the self-immolation of
Ryszard Siwiec. Palach returns to Czechoslovakia. He participates in a strike against the invasion and tries to be active. He is soon disappointed with the passiveness of society. He eventually decides to self-immolate himself against the invasion. The film ends with a shot of his burnt face. ==Cast==