‘Addiction is not only caused by weak will’: how a talking pigeon got Czechia to face up to its alcohol problem
Czech filmmaker Pepa Lubojacki’s documentary began as an exploration of society’s treatment of pigeons before turning toward her family’s experiences of homelessness and alcohol addiction. The film follows her brother’s struggle with drink and homelessness while examining the shame and prejudice surrounding people who are homeless, including a cousin who was repeatedly denied hospital care.
Czech filmmaker Pepa Lubojacki originally planned to make a film about pigeons, which she describes as beautiful and highly intelligent birds. She became interested in what she saw as a social double standard: people may treat pigeons cruelly while viewing similar behavior toward crows or magpies as unacceptable.
The subject reminded Lubojacki of how homeless people, including her older brother and cousins, are treated. Her documentary chronicles her brother’s struggle with alcohol and homelessness, as well as Lubojacki’s own shame in confronting social prejudice.
Lubojacki said one cousin was denied care seven times while suffering from open wounds in hospital. She said the injuries eventually led to the amputation of both legs.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What forms of care were sought and denied to Lubojacki’s cousin on each of the seven occasions?
How did social attitudes toward homelessness shape the filmmaker’s decisions while making the documentary?
What support was available to Lubojacki’s brother during his struggle with alcohol and homelessness?
How might the film’s original focus on pigeons change audiences’ understanding of addiction and homelessness?
YOUR QUESTION
Does this story leave you with another question?
Send us the question the report did not answer. It may become the next question IAQ investigates.
GLOBAL CURIOSITY MAP · AUGUST 2026