Paper Heads is a highly interpretive, passionate, and sometimes savagely funny documentary on the history of socialist Czechoslovakia. Made after the demise of the regime and the country, it combines archival footage and personal testimonies to open up new perspectives on the country's internal situation between 1945 and 1989. The title refers to a satirical May 1 celebration in which people parade with paper masks that mock Communist leaders. More than a political satire, the giant paper heads which are part of a staged happening on the streets of Bratislava symbolize the timeless dimension of the film’s message, and the significance of Hanák’s oeuvre in general: this is a reflection on what makes us human, on Hanák’s constant “search for his lucky number”, and on faith in the face of skepticism. Along with a personal look at the Czechoslovak past, the film also portrays the uncertainties and controversies of a post-communist society.