The theatrical adaptation of the novel Commuters focuses on reconstructing the past through the eyes of a group of teenagers sharing a train compartment. The young classmates cross the border every day, experiencing the social and cultural differences between Slovakia and Austria, yet unable to integrate into a foreign society. They smuggle cartons of cigarettes inside fluorescent light tubes, grow up too soon and fall into addiction. Slovaks will always be Slovaks – but what does it mean to be Slovak? Can you remain Slovak while trying to integrate into another country? What price are you willing to pay for better living conditions?

 

The protagonist Martin is forced to confront these issues once again when, as a sociologist, he is approached to take part in a documentary about Slovaks living in Austria. Gradually, he is confronted with his own past, with the part of himself he would rather forget – and, along with it, his most precious memory: Anna.

 

All that remains is to come up with a title for the documentary - Commuters. Border Crossers. That doesn't sound great. It will be called...