Actually, the Soviet invasion was in August of 1968 (the term Prague Spring refers to the few months of openness and freedom the country enjoyed under Alexander Dubcek).Precious Doll wrote:What may have helped was the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in the Spring of 1968.
It's 20 years since I last saw the film and I have fond memories of it. I must get around to buying the Criterion DVD sometime in the near future.
I do think that the political situation did help The Firemen's Ball get nominated. It is ironic, though, that it was defeated by a Russian picture, War and Peace.