- Occupation
Producer - Country
Czech Republic
Morávek Petr
Bystander Effect
On 13 March, 1964, 28-year old Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death on the street in NYC. It was revealed later that 38 people in the neighbourhood in some way witnessed the crime that lasted 50 minutes. None of the witnesses called the police. The film explores the phenomenon of the so-called "bystander effect". Radim Spacek's film about indifference uses elements of both documentary and fiction film.
Give Me Your Soul, Keep the Rest
Semi-acted documentary about the Salesians and their activities in the Czech Republic and the world.
The Trial H.
JUDr Milada Horáková (1901–1950) was a Czech politician, the victim of a judicial murder during the communist trials of the 1950s. She was sentenced to death in a construed case of conspiracy and high treason and was the only woman to be executed in these cases. Her courage has turned her name into a symbol of resistance against the totalitarian power of the ruling communist party. The ten-part series produced by Czech Television is a reconstruction of the trial of Milada Horáková, using authentic film and sound recordings made at the time, as well as personal testimony from eyewitnesses and historians. It gives a day by day account of the preparations for and course of the trial, and of some of the characters of this trial stage-managed by the communists.The original 7 – hour film record made of the proceedings by Czechoslovak State Security during the nine days’ political trial of Milada Horáková, and the sound recordings from the Czechoslovak Radio Archive and also stenography records taken during the trial and now found in the State Archives, have made it possible to compile a “direct transmission” from the courtroom. Authentic recording is supplemented by personal testimonials from eyewitnesses and historians.
The Stolen Country
During the final three years of World War II, almost 18,000 residents of the region surrounding the central Bohemian towns of Netvořice, Neveklov and Sedlčany (an area of 44,000 hectares) were evicted from their homes because of the military interests of the Waffen-SS. The official purpose was the creation of a giant military training ground, but within this space the Germans established secret underground factories and warehouses. Today, there still are people who remember what happened to them – people who experienced this period during their childhood or youth.
The Madman from La Verna
The Franciscan spirituality and primarily the person of Francis of Assisi represents one of the most inspirational sources in the European cultural context. Despite the barrier of eight centuries, it has been appealing not only to Christians/Catholics but also to Muslims and those whom we are used to call nondenominational. Francis' language can be universal and it is not toothless at the same time. There are lots of Franciscan topics: the relation of man to nature, our place in the universe, the sense of suffering, humility, poverty as a gift (ability), interpersonal (inter-religious) dialogue, the knighthood of the spirit, sacrifice, love. The documentary has two story lines – the life of Franciscans at the present time, which mingles with the life of St. Francis himself. The film is a continuation of the documentaries by Otakáro M. Schmidt about Jesuits (We Are Not Angels, We Just Do Their Job), John of Nepomuk (The Most Famous Czech – John of Nepomuk, a Five Star Saint) and Salesians (Give Me Your Soul and Keep the Rest). These three previous films have shown the poetry of Otakáro’s style of direction and narration, which enables to transfer important information through images and entertainment. We want to combine acted scenes and documentary witness accounts with symbolic images of the world of today.
Keep the Rhythm!
Using the music of Bohuslav Martinů, The Chap-Book project was inspired by Rhythm Is It!, a successful social and art project developed by the Berlin Philharmonic. Working with the graduates of the Duncan Centre, the Czech project aimed to open up the process of art creation also to children who have no experience with the arts. As one of the outcomes of the project, the film shows the children's transformation as they acquire better dancing skills, become actively engaged in the show and express their excitement and joy from the success of the show and a big applause at the sold-out venue.
Unknown Czech Photography
Photographers Petr Zinke and Viktor Kopasz wander the countryside in search of concealed images and answers. Though the real world seems erased from their photographs, its heavy presence is hidden within them. Petr Zinke carries his tall tripod and a large-format camera through shrubs and bushes to find parallels between the structures in branches and the external world. Viktor Kopasz revisits the landscape of his childhood - the Slovak-Hungarian border - to create surreal mythical images. They reflect on their efforts with varying degrees of distance and wit. The film aims to explore the artists, their living art and the ways in which photography informs real life and vice versa.
Czech Peace
The story of the Star Wars, the Cold War and the War On Terror of one small Czech village. As part of its National Missile Defense Program, the US plan to build a military base in the Czech Republic, a former hiding place for Soviet nuclear rockets during the Cold War. Despite the fact that 73% of Czechs are against the project, the government has continued with negotiations. Supporters of the base claim that it will strengthen the country's defense against the global threats of the 21st century. Opponents point out that the plan essentially shifts the Iron Curtain toward the east; they also insist that it represents an attempt of the US to rule the world.
Festival Materinka
In his documentary film, director Aleš Kisil captures a puppet theatre festival but also considers other aesthetic, psychological and teaching issues that are relevant for the phenomenon of children's theatre. This film about a top-class children's theatre also includes views and comments from theatre experts.
Killing Czech Style
The film attempts to shed some light on the post-war massacre in Postoloprty, in which 763 local German residents died. Nobody was punished after the war. This film captures the tragic event through the eyes of direct witnesses who travel to Postoloprty from Germany, a police officer who pushed on with the investigation, the dead victims or young playwright Miroslav Bambušek who wrote a play based on the event. One of the witnesses to the massacre would like to build a memorial in the fateful place. The film might also follow another line that would explore the reactions of a small town that refuses to acknowledge the dark blemish in its history.
My Concentration Camps
Novelist Arnošt Lustig travels with his son and grandson to revisit historic sites connected with the Holocaust and to recall some of the events that took place sixty years ago.
Postavení mimo hru
They were Czechoslovak heroes. Twice Ice Hockey World Champions, just about to leave for London to defend their title. The public adored them. The year was 1950 and they never reached London. They were all arrested and for the next seven weeks they were subjected to torture, abuse, unbelievable pressure and extortion. At the end they were accused of spying, high treason and of subverting the socialist system and mostly sent to uranium mines. According to Gustav Bubník, one of the two who survived: “…they were sacrificed for their comfort and for the guilt feeling - swept under the table”.
The Story of Bravery and Betrayal
The story of the partisan resistance villages of Lipovec and Licoměřice and their residents during WWII from 1943-1945. Remarkable and dramatic resistance missions and amazing personal stories.
Zajati v Angole
Szent István
SMS Szent István was deployed from the military port of Pula on June 6, 1918, along with other battleships, to take part in a mission in the Otranto Straits. In addition to a large group of war reporters, the battleship also carried a cameraman. He intended to document the planned operation but, to his surprise, he ended up shooting the battleship's destruction. The sinking of the Austro–Hungarian battleship Szent István by Italian torpedoes is one of the most important maritime events in WWI. Using unique and authentic archive footage, this documentary examines historical events surrounding the demise of the battleship. It also uses footage made by a team of Czech divers who managed to get into the shipwreck.
Let's Play Soldiers
This documentary film explores the true nature of the Czech Republic's dove-like national character. While Czechs have never won any battle and have scrapped compulsory army service, many of them - clerks, businessmen, real estate entrepreneurs - from time to time like to put on their army gear or a historic uniform and join a battle. Is it a sign of our complexes or merely an expression of an ancient atavism?
Ležáky…Those Other Dead Ones….
Jarmila Doležalová survived the German destruction of the village of Ležáky during the 2nd World War. Qualified as a child „suitable for Germanisation", she had traveled through several towns all the way to Puszcikow, Poland, then a part of the German territory.In the documentary Jarmila sets off for the same road once again. Dramatic story of one woman also tackles sensitive issue of her German identity that was forced upon her.
Picturing the Moment
Bosnian born painter Dino Čečo has invented a way how to open the utterly visual world to people who cannot see. Thanks to this unique haptic method can blind people express themselves visually, paint their visions, dreams and feelings. Their work can then be "viewed" by another blind people at exhibitions. Jaroslav Černý's documentary tells us about the life of Dino Čečo and his work with blind children as well as about the creative visual world of the people without sight.
Svatý Vojtěch – první český Evropan
The pope Benedict XVI. reminds us that Europe is the home of Christian nations. The msesage of St. Vojtěch was similar.
Overhead – Stars, the Hamer and Sickle
How to Become a Cyborg
A documentary about a man who believes that one day people will be able to read each other’s thoughts and share their feelings. How would that be possible? All one has to do is have a special implant and connect it to one’s nervous system. Cybernetics professor and visionary Kevin Warwick has already started experimenting by having the first chips implanted into himself.
The Hardest of Choices
A documentary looking at the lives of four women and their partners who have refused abortions after discovering they are expecting handicapped children. The author captures their reactions on learning of their babies' state of health, and the way in which they come to terms with the doctors' prognoses and their own feelings of hopelessness. One of the children dies before birth, another during birth, while another lives for only an hour after birth. The daughter of the fourth couple has Down's syndrome, and her mother describes how those around her reacted to the handicap. The key scene in this collective portrait, which grows into an existential drama concerning life and death, takes place at the grave of one of the dead children, on the Říp hill.
Africa Obscura
The AFRICA OBSCURA is a documentary that concerns contemporary Africa as a photographic phenomenon. But this time, the record is made through the medium of old analogue photographic and motion-picture cameras, which were revived at the beginning of the 21st century here. By this means, photographer Jan Svatos and his expedition is looking for a legacy of the pioneer-film-makers Martin and Osa Johnson in an arid and harsh northern Kenya region. One of the aim of the movie is to present this marginalized and despised northern Kenya in a new alluring light.The documentary authentically performs almost 100 years evolution of wildlife photography in this area and finds out, whether modern-day man, used to the simplicity of modern technology, is at all capable of taking photographs using outdated photographic equipment, including developing films in removable darkroom.
The Krajina Files
The documentary The Krajina Files will introduce the resistance activities of Vladimír Krajina during World War II as well as his anti-communist attitude and fate after February 1948.
Burned Bridges
A portrait of two people who have decided to live outside the bustle of civilisation and spent time in communities of nuns and monks. The first is Katka, who remembers the environment in the community of the Nuns of Bethlehem in the Savoy Alps. Having entered in 2001, attracted by the silence and opportunity to concentrate, in the end she left voluntarily. The film's second soulful protagonist is Miroslav, who talks about life among the Cistercians, the meaning of celibacy and the reasons why he left the ascetic order. This mediation on non-conformist existences and everyday miracles culminates in a surprising ending.
Goulash for 750 Million
What are Czech politicians and their voters like? In the times of pre-election hysteria, the film crew set out to the meetings of several political parties, investigating the means by which the politicians try to lure their voters. After the meetings, they have the possibility to visit the film crew cattering, discussing who and why will they vote for and evaluating the Czech political scene.
My Great-Grandfather Genghis Khan
The documentary illustrates the fact given by the location of the Czech territory as well as the historical turn of events, i.e. that in most Czech families, there is an ancestor who came from elsewhere, belonged to another ethnicity, another culture, spoke another language and looked completely different. Thus the documentary holds up a mirror to the growing nationalism, which often hides behind the term of patriotism, relativizing slogans such as "Czechia to Czechs" etc. On the example of several personalities, the film proves that the mixing of genes is often important for various talents and character features, enriching not only individual lives but the whole nation as well.
Central European Eduard Goldstücker
Germanist, diplomat, Kafkologist and one of the protagonists of the Prague Spring Eduard Goldstücker was a witness and participant in numerous key events of the past century. In 2010, twenty years since his return from exile and ten years since his death will have passed.
The Shamans Are Leaving
The white civilization has resigned from the coexistence with nature as well as the experience that follows from it. One of the few to sustain the tradition are South American shamans. The film is a probe to the shaman soul, providing an insight into the human past.
Living Dead Alois Jirásek
An attempt at the rehabilitation of the personality and works of the Czech writer Alois Jirásek. In 2011, the 160th anniversary of his birth will be celebrated. Another anniversary falls on the year 2010, commemorating 80 years since his death.
Když sochy z mostu ožijí
The statues at the Charles Bridge have come to life. They are not alive due to a sculpturer, but life was given by mentally handicaped people thanks to a unique ballet play.
I Didn't Hurt Anyone
An investigative mosaic which looks, from various angles at the issue of collaboration with the Communist-era secret police. The key figure is the author's friend, Jaroslav Kolář, who describes his own case. He explains what led him to cooperate with the secret police, and how he coped when his activities were revealed after November 1989. Three former secret policemen also talk about the techniques that were used to gain agents. The film also looks at the cases of well-known cultural figures, such as artist Joška Skalník, who experienced secret police practices at first hand. It confronts the architects of the totalitarian machinery with their victims, and considers the issue of guilt and penitence for past sins.
Agnes of Bohemia
800 years have passed since the birth of Agnes of Bohemia. The documentary "Agnes of Bohemia" will present the personality of a royal daughter who decided to devote her life, possessions and all her efforts to help the poor and suffering people. The filmmakers use all available historical artefacts and references to reveal the youth as well as the mature age of a woman whose actions led to her becoming a saint. Where was the desire to commit to charity born, especially in an age of darkness, completely indisposed towards anything of that kind? Where did Agnes find inspiration and what formed her? Due to a prophecy, her canonization in 1989 was related to the Velvet Revolution. To what extent is her legacy still alive today?
The Angel's Game
Romana Andelova had cancer as a child and spent many months in hospital. As a little girl in an ugly sterile hospital, she felt very lonely and so she invented her own imaginary fantasy world featuring the fictional characters of cheapskates. She wrote a book about them. Then it occurred to her that her experience could help the sick children who go through the same trauma. The film tells the story of her life, her foundation and her help for the little patients.
A Spot in the Sun
The contemporary society prefers youth and beauty. What about the old people though? Some politicians have already proposed isolating seniors so that they don't "stand in the way". The documentary captures the life of old people in the world of young people, suggesting what happens if we start building ghettos for old men.
No Exodus
Czech doctors have repeatedly threatened with an exodus. In most cases the problem was money. The category of love for this highly demanding profession seemed out of question. So did the drama, creativity, beauty of the profession; as well as ethics, morality and a sense of a certain vocation in life. Rediscovering these values in the tumultuous days of today would do us good. The documentary will portray two top physicians who are not going anywhere; Jan Pirk and Vladimír Beneš; although they could as their reputation goes beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. The heart and the brain; these two make man, and are more than the whole universe, as the two doctors believe. They approach their field with similar enthusiasm and high professionalism. A classical documentary without commentary or direct accounts; just images, situations, action, atmosphere and highly intimate off-screen accounts; internal monologues.
Jaroslav Tomsa – Profession Stuntman
The personality of Jaroslav Tomsa, founder of the now world famous "Czech stunt school", ranks among the legends of the Czechoslovak, Czech as well as international film and is highly regarded in this field. Besides, he has been an outstanding sportsman, hockey player and boxer since his youth. In his life, he has experienced a number of important and often little known personal milestones. For instance, few people know that he is an excellent harmonica player. In the past few years, he has taken up his "last discipline", as he says, becoming a graphic designer. On February 19, 2011, Jaroslav Tomsa celebrated his 81st birthday in an incredibly good form.
Obrazy ze života Boženy Němcové
The 21st of November 2012 we celebrated 150-year anniversary of the death of Božena Němcová. She, as the only woman, ended among the first ten people in the Czech TV competition, which was looking for the gretaest Czech person. Is the placement of the emancipated Czech writer fair? What does contemporary Czech reader know about Němcová? The authors of half-documentary film Ljuba Václavová and Martina Komárková contemplates about the reasons why Božena Němcová is considered the most important Czech woman. They investigate some parts of her work and life from unusual points of view.
Mein kroj
Kodjo
Aleš Lamr (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Aleš Veselý (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Daisy Mrázková (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Karel Pauzer (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Karel Vysušil (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Olbram Zoubek (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
On 13 March, 1964, 28-year old Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death on the street in NYC. It was revealed later that 38 people in the neighbourhood in some way witnessed the crime that lasted 50 minutes. None of the witnesses called the police. The film explores the phenomenon of the so-called "bystander effect". Radim Spacek's film about indifference uses elements of both documentary and fiction film.
Give Me Your Soul, Keep the Rest
Semi-acted documentary about the Salesians and their activities in the Czech Republic and the world.
The Trial H.
JUDr Milada Horáková (1901–1950) was a Czech politician, the victim of a judicial murder during the communist trials of the 1950s. She was sentenced to death in a construed case of conspiracy and high treason and was the only woman to be executed in these cases. Her courage has turned her name into a symbol of resistance against the totalitarian power of the ruling communist party. The ten-part series produced by Czech Television is a reconstruction of the trial of Milada Horáková, using authentic film and sound recordings made at the time, as well as personal testimony from eyewitnesses and historians. It gives a day by day account of the preparations for and course of the trial, and of some of the characters of this trial stage-managed by the communists.The original 7 – hour film record made of the proceedings by Czechoslovak State Security during the nine days’ political trial of Milada Horáková, and the sound recordings from the Czechoslovak Radio Archive and also stenography records taken during the trial and now found in the State Archives, have made it possible to compile a “direct transmission” from the courtroom. Authentic recording is supplemented by personal testimonials from eyewitnesses and historians.
The Stolen Country
During the final three years of World War II, almost 18,000 residents of the region surrounding the central Bohemian towns of Netvořice, Neveklov and Sedlčany (an area of 44,000 hectares) were evicted from their homes because of the military interests of the Waffen-SS. The official purpose was the creation of a giant military training ground, but within this space the Germans established secret underground factories and warehouses. Today, there still are people who remember what happened to them – people who experienced this period during their childhood or youth.
The Madman from La Verna
The Franciscan spirituality and primarily the person of Francis of Assisi represents one of the most inspirational sources in the European cultural context. Despite the barrier of eight centuries, it has been appealing not only to Christians/Catholics but also to Muslims and those whom we are used to call nondenominational. Francis' language can be universal and it is not toothless at the same time. There are lots of Franciscan topics: the relation of man to nature, our place in the universe, the sense of suffering, humility, poverty as a gift (ability), interpersonal (inter-religious) dialogue, the knighthood of the spirit, sacrifice, love. The documentary has two story lines – the life of Franciscans at the present time, which mingles with the life of St. Francis himself. The film is a continuation of the documentaries by Otakáro M. Schmidt about Jesuits (We Are Not Angels, We Just Do Their Job), John of Nepomuk (The Most Famous Czech – John of Nepomuk, a Five Star Saint) and Salesians (Give Me Your Soul and Keep the Rest). These three previous films have shown the poetry of Otakáro’s style of direction and narration, which enables to transfer important information through images and entertainment. We want to combine acted scenes and documentary witness accounts with symbolic images of the world of today.
Keep the Rhythm!
Using the music of Bohuslav Martinů, The Chap-Book project was inspired by Rhythm Is It!, a successful social and art project developed by the Berlin Philharmonic. Working with the graduates of the Duncan Centre, the Czech project aimed to open up the process of art creation also to children who have no experience with the arts. As one of the outcomes of the project, the film shows the children's transformation as they acquire better dancing skills, become actively engaged in the show and express their excitement and joy from the success of the show and a big applause at the sold-out venue.
Unknown Czech Photography
Photographers Petr Zinke and Viktor Kopasz wander the countryside in search of concealed images and answers. Though the real world seems erased from their photographs, its heavy presence is hidden within them. Petr Zinke carries his tall tripod and a large-format camera through shrubs and bushes to find parallels between the structures in branches and the external world. Viktor Kopasz revisits the landscape of his childhood - the Slovak-Hungarian border - to create surreal mythical images. They reflect on their efforts with varying degrees of distance and wit. The film aims to explore the artists, their living art and the ways in which photography informs real life and vice versa.
Czech Peace
The story of the Star Wars, the Cold War and the War On Terror of one small Czech village. As part of its National Missile Defense Program, the US plan to build a military base in the Czech Republic, a former hiding place for Soviet nuclear rockets during the Cold War. Despite the fact that 73% of Czechs are against the project, the government has continued with negotiations. Supporters of the base claim that it will strengthen the country's defense against the global threats of the 21st century. Opponents point out that the plan essentially shifts the Iron Curtain toward the east; they also insist that it represents an attempt of the US to rule the world.
Festival Materinka
In his documentary film, director Aleš Kisil captures a puppet theatre festival but also considers other aesthetic, psychological and teaching issues that are relevant for the phenomenon of children's theatre. This film about a top-class children's theatre also includes views and comments from theatre experts.
Killing Czech Style
The film attempts to shed some light on the post-war massacre in Postoloprty, in which 763 local German residents died. Nobody was punished after the war. This film captures the tragic event through the eyes of direct witnesses who travel to Postoloprty from Germany, a police officer who pushed on with the investigation, the dead victims or young playwright Miroslav Bambušek who wrote a play based on the event. One of the witnesses to the massacre would like to build a memorial in the fateful place. The film might also follow another line that would explore the reactions of a small town that refuses to acknowledge the dark blemish in its history.
My Concentration Camps
Novelist Arnošt Lustig travels with his son and grandson to revisit historic sites connected with the Holocaust and to recall some of the events that took place sixty years ago.
Postavení mimo hru
They were Czechoslovak heroes. Twice Ice Hockey World Champions, just about to leave for London to defend their title. The public adored them. The year was 1950 and they never reached London. They were all arrested and for the next seven weeks they were subjected to torture, abuse, unbelievable pressure and extortion. At the end they were accused of spying, high treason and of subverting the socialist system and mostly sent to uranium mines. According to Gustav Bubník, one of the two who survived: “…they were sacrificed for their comfort and for the guilt feeling - swept under the table”.
The Story of Bravery and Betrayal
The story of the partisan resistance villages of Lipovec and Licoměřice and their residents during WWII from 1943-1945. Remarkable and dramatic resistance missions and amazing personal stories.
Zajati v Angole
Szent István
SMS Szent István was deployed from the military port of Pula on June 6, 1918, along with other battleships, to take part in a mission in the Otranto Straits. In addition to a large group of war reporters, the battleship also carried a cameraman. He intended to document the planned operation but, to his surprise, he ended up shooting the battleship's destruction. The sinking of the Austro–Hungarian battleship Szent István by Italian torpedoes is one of the most important maritime events in WWI. Using unique and authentic archive footage, this documentary examines historical events surrounding the demise of the battleship. It also uses footage made by a team of Czech divers who managed to get into the shipwreck.
Let's Play Soldiers
This documentary film explores the true nature of the Czech Republic's dove-like national character. While Czechs have never won any battle and have scrapped compulsory army service, many of them - clerks, businessmen, real estate entrepreneurs - from time to time like to put on their army gear or a historic uniform and join a battle. Is it a sign of our complexes or merely an expression of an ancient atavism?
Ležáky…Those Other Dead Ones….
Jarmila Doležalová survived the German destruction of the village of Ležáky during the 2nd World War. Qualified as a child „suitable for Germanisation", she had traveled through several towns all the way to Puszcikow, Poland, then a part of the German territory.In the documentary Jarmila sets off for the same road once again. Dramatic story of one woman also tackles sensitive issue of her German identity that was forced upon her.
Picturing the Moment
Bosnian born painter Dino Čečo has invented a way how to open the utterly visual world to people who cannot see. Thanks to this unique haptic method can blind people express themselves visually, paint their visions, dreams and feelings. Their work can then be "viewed" by another blind people at exhibitions. Jaroslav Černý's documentary tells us about the life of Dino Čečo and his work with blind children as well as about the creative visual world of the people without sight.
Svatý Vojtěch – první český Evropan
The pope Benedict XVI. reminds us that Europe is the home of Christian nations. The msesage of St. Vojtěch was similar.
Overhead – Stars, the Hamer and Sickle
How to Become a Cyborg
A documentary about a man who believes that one day people will be able to read each other’s thoughts and share their feelings. How would that be possible? All one has to do is have a special implant and connect it to one’s nervous system. Cybernetics professor and visionary Kevin Warwick has already started experimenting by having the first chips implanted into himself.
The Hardest of Choices
A documentary looking at the lives of four women and their partners who have refused abortions after discovering they are expecting handicapped children. The author captures their reactions on learning of their babies' state of health, and the way in which they come to terms with the doctors' prognoses and their own feelings of hopelessness. One of the children dies before birth, another during birth, while another lives for only an hour after birth. The daughter of the fourth couple has Down's syndrome, and her mother describes how those around her reacted to the handicap. The key scene in this collective portrait, which grows into an existential drama concerning life and death, takes place at the grave of one of the dead children, on the Říp hill.
Africa Obscura
The AFRICA OBSCURA is a documentary that concerns contemporary Africa as a photographic phenomenon. But this time, the record is made through the medium of old analogue photographic and motion-picture cameras, which were revived at the beginning of the 21st century here. By this means, photographer Jan Svatos and his expedition is looking for a legacy of the pioneer-film-makers Martin and Osa Johnson in an arid and harsh northern Kenya region. One of the aim of the movie is to present this marginalized and despised northern Kenya in a new alluring light.The documentary authentically performs almost 100 years evolution of wildlife photography in this area and finds out, whether modern-day man, used to the simplicity of modern technology, is at all capable of taking photographs using outdated photographic equipment, including developing films in removable darkroom.
The Krajina Files
The documentary The Krajina Files will introduce the resistance activities of Vladimír Krajina during World War II as well as his anti-communist attitude and fate after February 1948.
Burned Bridges
A portrait of two people who have decided to live outside the bustle of civilisation and spent time in communities of nuns and monks. The first is Katka, who remembers the environment in the community of the Nuns of Bethlehem in the Savoy Alps. Having entered in 2001, attracted by the silence and opportunity to concentrate, in the end she left voluntarily. The film's second soulful protagonist is Miroslav, who talks about life among the Cistercians, the meaning of celibacy and the reasons why he left the ascetic order. This mediation on non-conformist existences and everyday miracles culminates in a surprising ending.
Goulash for 750 Million
What are Czech politicians and their voters like? In the times of pre-election hysteria, the film crew set out to the meetings of several political parties, investigating the means by which the politicians try to lure their voters. After the meetings, they have the possibility to visit the film crew cattering, discussing who and why will they vote for and evaluating the Czech political scene.
My Great-Grandfather Genghis Khan
The documentary illustrates the fact given by the location of the Czech territory as well as the historical turn of events, i.e. that in most Czech families, there is an ancestor who came from elsewhere, belonged to another ethnicity, another culture, spoke another language and looked completely different. Thus the documentary holds up a mirror to the growing nationalism, which often hides behind the term of patriotism, relativizing slogans such as "Czechia to Czechs" etc. On the example of several personalities, the film proves that the mixing of genes is often important for various talents and character features, enriching not only individual lives but the whole nation as well.
Central European Eduard Goldstücker
Germanist, diplomat, Kafkologist and one of the protagonists of the Prague Spring Eduard Goldstücker was a witness and participant in numerous key events of the past century. In 2010, twenty years since his return from exile and ten years since his death will have passed.
The Shamans Are Leaving
The white civilization has resigned from the coexistence with nature as well as the experience that follows from it. One of the few to sustain the tradition are South American shamans. The film is a probe to the shaman soul, providing an insight into the human past.
Living Dead Alois Jirásek
An attempt at the rehabilitation of the personality and works of the Czech writer Alois Jirásek. In 2011, the 160th anniversary of his birth will be celebrated. Another anniversary falls on the year 2010, commemorating 80 years since his death.
Když sochy z mostu ožijí
The statues at the Charles Bridge have come to life. They are not alive due to a sculpturer, but life was given by mentally handicaped people thanks to a unique ballet play.
I Didn't Hurt Anyone
An investigative mosaic which looks, from various angles at the issue of collaboration with the Communist-era secret police. The key figure is the author's friend, Jaroslav Kolář, who describes his own case. He explains what led him to cooperate with the secret police, and how he coped when his activities were revealed after November 1989. Three former secret policemen also talk about the techniques that were used to gain agents. The film also looks at the cases of well-known cultural figures, such as artist Joška Skalník, who experienced secret police practices at first hand. It confronts the architects of the totalitarian machinery with their victims, and considers the issue of guilt and penitence for past sins.
Agnes of Bohemia
800 years have passed since the birth of Agnes of Bohemia. The documentary "Agnes of Bohemia" will present the personality of a royal daughter who decided to devote her life, possessions and all her efforts to help the poor and suffering people. The filmmakers use all available historical artefacts and references to reveal the youth as well as the mature age of a woman whose actions led to her becoming a saint. Where was the desire to commit to charity born, especially in an age of darkness, completely indisposed towards anything of that kind? Where did Agnes find inspiration and what formed her? Due to a prophecy, her canonization in 1989 was related to the Velvet Revolution. To what extent is her legacy still alive today?
The Angel's Game
Romana Andelova had cancer as a child and spent many months in hospital. As a little girl in an ugly sterile hospital, she felt very lonely and so she invented her own imaginary fantasy world featuring the fictional characters of cheapskates. She wrote a book about them. Then it occurred to her that her experience could help the sick children who go through the same trauma. The film tells the story of her life, her foundation and her help for the little patients.
A Spot in the Sun
The contemporary society prefers youth and beauty. What about the old people though? Some politicians have already proposed isolating seniors so that they don't "stand in the way". The documentary captures the life of old people in the world of young people, suggesting what happens if we start building ghettos for old men.
No Exodus
Czech doctors have repeatedly threatened with an exodus. In most cases the problem was money. The category of love for this highly demanding profession seemed out of question. So did the drama, creativity, beauty of the profession; as well as ethics, morality and a sense of a certain vocation in life. Rediscovering these values in the tumultuous days of today would do us good. The documentary will portray two top physicians who are not going anywhere; Jan Pirk and Vladimír Beneš; although they could as their reputation goes beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. The heart and the brain; these two make man, and are more than the whole universe, as the two doctors believe. They approach their field with similar enthusiasm and high professionalism. A classical documentary without commentary or direct accounts; just images, situations, action, atmosphere and highly intimate off-screen accounts; internal monologues.
Jaroslav Tomsa – Profession Stuntman
The personality of Jaroslav Tomsa, founder of the now world famous "Czech stunt school", ranks among the legends of the Czechoslovak, Czech as well as international film and is highly regarded in this field. Besides, he has been an outstanding sportsman, hockey player and boxer since his youth. In his life, he has experienced a number of important and often little known personal milestones. For instance, few people know that he is an excellent harmonica player. In the past few years, he has taken up his "last discipline", as he says, becoming a graphic designer. On February 19, 2011, Jaroslav Tomsa celebrated his 81st birthday in an incredibly good form.
Obrazy ze života Boženy Němcové
The 21st of November 2012 we celebrated 150-year anniversary of the death of Božena Němcová. She, as the only woman, ended among the first ten people in the Czech TV competition, which was looking for the gretaest Czech person. Is the placement of the emancipated Czech writer fair? What does contemporary Czech reader know about Němcová? The authors of half-documentary film Ljuba Václavová and Martina Komárková contemplates about the reasons why Božena Němcová is considered the most important Czech woman. They investigate some parts of her work and life from unusual points of view.
Mein kroj
Kodjo
Aleš Lamr (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Aleš Veselý (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Daisy Mrázková (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Karel Pauzer (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Karel Vysušil (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Olbram Zoubek (Artistic Confession 2011)
Portraits of Czech fine artists based on their testimonies and work.
Czech Journal
A five-part series of socially critical, truly “public service” documentaries made over the course of one year. Each film deals with a compelling social issue and its broader context. Each topic is tackled without bias, presumptions and without sentimentality. Rather than to scare or move the viewer, this thought-provoking series wants to stir up debate on stereotypes in our approach to reality. Topics will include current events that are in the headlines, e.g., racism, corruption, organized crime, civic initiatives, public institutions, lobbying and other important events related to politics, sports or culture.
A five-part series of socially critical, truly “public service” documentaries made over the course of one year. Each film deals with a compelling social issue and its broader context. Each topic is tackled without bias, presumptions and without sentimentality. Rather than to scare or move the viewer, this thought-provoking series wants to stir up debate on stereotypes in our approach to reality. Topics will include current events that are in the headlines, e.g., racism, corruption, organized crime, civic initiatives, public institutions, lobbying and other important events related to politics, sports or culture.
WEB CT
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Czech TV
Kavčí hory
140 70 Prague 4
Kavčí hory
140 70 Prague 4