This film screened 17th November.

At first glance Peter lives the life of a typical European teenager – he lives with his parents, has a pretty girlfriend, he goes to college. However, he is also the head of a paramilitary group called ‘Slovenskí branci’ that recruits hundreds of Slovak teenagers with the silent approval of the authorities. The group’s goal is simple: to prepare for war and create a model community based on military drill, obedience and fear. Peter dreams that one day he will be able to govern the entire society as a great politician. With When the War Comes director Jan Gebert portrays a leader on the rise and touches on the very topical themes of nationalism and the mechanism of power.

Presented in association with the Temple Bar Festival of Politics.