- Occupation
Director - Country
Czech Republic
Schmidt Otakáro Maria
We Are Not Angels, Just Doing Their Job/The Power and the Mystery of Jesuits
The Society of Jesus - the Jesuits - is one of the largest and most important orders of the Catholic Church. Their mission includes pastoral and missionary work, as well as contributions to education, science, culture and the arts. The order dates back to 1534, when it was founded by Ignatius of Loyola. The documentary provides a glimpse at the present state of the Society of Jesus, and it also reveals why the order had been so often considered dangerous.
The Greatest Czech - St. John Nepomucene
A documentary film about St. John Nepomucene. According to estimates, there are approx. 30.000 monuments dedicated to John Nepomucene just across Europe, out of which one-fifth is located in the Czech Republic. One can find Nepomucene's traces in Central and South America, India, Philippines or China.
The Venice Carnival
A film poem set to the music of Roman Holý about the magic of the Venice carnival.
In as Much as Ye Have Done It Unto One of the Least of These My Brethren, Ye Have Done It Unto Me
A presentation of the activities of the Starý Knín parish charity funded by the European Social Fund. The charity focuses on providing support to the elderly, the sick, and otherwise handicapped people including young women coming off maternity leave through social field work in rural areas, while employing difficult-to-employ people.
Stories of Houses: Slavonice
The Ways of Faith
My House, My... (Part I, II)
The Wyas of Faith - Ora et labora
Give Me Your Soul, Keep the Rest
Semi-acted documentary about the Salesians and their activities in the Czech Republic and the world.
She Dances with Olomouc
My Home, My Braník
Léta letí k andělům
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.
Through the Landscape of Silence
Silence is not simply an absence of sound. Silence has it´s own voice, sound and colour and is able to have many meanings: silence can be noble as well as embarrassing, it can open or close the space for communication, it can cure as well as hurt. The documentary offers distinctive view of the role of silence not only in the life of man but also in the whole human culture and in the world of nature.
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.
The Master Eckhart
Infant Jesus of Prague
The film depicts the phenomenon of the Infant of Prague - one of the most famous sights in the capital of Czech Republic. It was very complicated to search through archives, but it happend to be quite the only way to get proper information. By showing the history in an unusual way, the director´s aim is to introduce this topic not only to worshipers of the Infant of Prague, but to all of us.
Francis of Assisi - A Fool for Christ
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.
The Society of Jesus - the Jesuits - is one of the largest and most important orders of the Catholic Church. Their mission includes pastoral and missionary work, as well as contributions to education, science, culture and the arts. The order dates back to 1534, when it was founded by Ignatius of Loyola. The documentary provides a glimpse at the present state of the Society of Jesus, and it also reveals why the order had been so often considered dangerous.
The Greatest Czech - St. John Nepomucene
A documentary film about St. John Nepomucene. According to estimates, there are approx. 30.000 monuments dedicated to John Nepomucene just across Europe, out of which one-fifth is located in the Czech Republic. One can find Nepomucene's traces in Central and South America, India, Philippines or China.
The Venice Carnival
A film poem set to the music of Roman Holý about the magic of the Venice carnival.
In as Much as Ye Have Done It Unto One of the Least of These My Brethren, Ye Have Done It Unto Me
A presentation of the activities of the Starý Knín parish charity funded by the European Social Fund. The charity focuses on providing support to the elderly, the sick, and otherwise handicapped people including young women coming off maternity leave through social field work in rural areas, while employing difficult-to-employ people.
Stories of Houses: Slavonice
The Ways of Faith
My House, My... (Part I, II)
The Wyas of Faith - Ora et labora
Give Me Your Soul, Keep the Rest
Semi-acted documentary about the Salesians and their activities in the Czech Republic and the world.
She Dances with Olomouc
My Home, My Braník
Léta letí k andělům
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.
Through the Landscape of Silence
Silence is not simply an absence of sound. Silence has it´s own voice, sound and colour and is able to have many meanings: silence can be noble as well as embarrassing, it can open or close the space for communication, it can cure as well as hurt. The documentary offers distinctive view of the role of silence not only in the life of man but also in the whole human culture and in the world of nature.
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.
The Master Eckhart
Infant Jesus of Prague
The film depicts the phenomenon of the Infant of Prague - one of the most famous sights in the capital of Czech Republic. It was very complicated to search through archives, but it happend to be quite the only way to get proper information. By showing the history in an unusual way, the director´s aim is to introduce this topic not only to worshipers of the Infant of Prague, but to all of us.
Francis of Assisi - A Fool for Christ
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.
God Preserve the Heritage of Our Fathers and Mothers!
This documentary film combines reenactments featuring characters from the time of St. Cyril and Methodius in real environments with documentary-style commentary. It links the message of the Middle Ages to the present in a way that is both modern and immediate. The documentary presents the lives of St. Cyril and Methodius, the dissemination and legacy of the Cyrillo-Methodian tradition and its value for the present. Basic film structure: the life and times of St. Cyril and Methodius (acted scenes in the modern world), expert and lay testimony. The film uses a video narrative style, entertainingly combining acted scenes in the documentary space. Rather than lecturing on the nature of good and evil, it offers human stories and examples of these outstanding figures who had an impact on the world.
Landscape – Mirror of the Soul
The first documentary film in 3D. A film about wandering through the countryside that brings us to the doorstep of our soul. Do we really believe that it is possible to stay healthy in the midst of broken families and a broken world? In the course of the film, Marek Orko Vácha explores the landscape, wandering like a Czech David Atenborough. He sets out at the end of winter/start of spring from the confluence of a river and a sea near a modern hotel. Pilgrim Orko cuts himself a walking staff and heads upstream towards the rising sun. He walks the barely waking land, lantern in hand, like a mighty prince. By the end of the film he reaches the start of all things, in the mountains, in the virgin forest of Boubín, at the river's fountainhead, clear and cleansing of waters, where a small village chapel and a simple wooden cross stand amid overgrown and abandoned trees. The sun sets on the first snowdrops peaking from the mossy banks in promise of the coming spring. The use of 3D photography here is essential to the portrayal of nature and the turning seasons. We want the viewers to experience a photorealistic vision of nature, drawing them inside our filmic landscape.
This documentary film combines reenactments featuring characters from the time of St. Cyril and Methodius in real environments with documentary-style commentary. It links the message of the Middle Ages to the present in a way that is both modern and immediate. The documentary presents the lives of St. Cyril and Methodius, the dissemination and legacy of the Cyrillo-Methodian tradition and its value for the present. Basic film structure: the life and times of St. Cyril and Methodius (acted scenes in the modern world), expert and lay testimony. The film uses a video narrative style, entertainingly combining acted scenes in the documentary space. Rather than lecturing on the nature of good and evil, it offers human stories and examples of these outstanding figures who had an impact on the world.
Landscape – Mirror of the Soul
The first documentary film in 3D. A film about wandering through the countryside that brings us to the doorstep of our soul. Do we really believe that it is possible to stay healthy in the midst of broken families and a broken world? In the course of the film, Marek Orko Vácha explores the landscape, wandering like a Czech David Atenborough. He sets out at the end of winter/start of spring from the confluence of a river and a sea near a modern hotel. Pilgrim Orko cuts himself a walking staff and heads upstream towards the rising sun. He walks the barely waking land, lantern in hand, like a mighty prince. By the end of the film he reaches the start of all things, in the mountains, in the virgin forest of Boubín, at the river's fountainhead, clear and cleansing of waters, where a small village chapel and a simple wooden cross stand amid overgrown and abandoned trees. The sun sets on the first snowdrops peaking from the mossy banks in promise of the coming spring. The use of 3D photography here is essential to the portrayal of nature and the turning seasons. We want the viewers to experience a photorealistic vision of nature, drawing them inside our filmic landscape.
Otakaro studied The Jaroslav Jezek Conservatory in Prague, studied mime, dance and acting. He was then employed in Liberec theater as a dancer, established a working relationship with Laura and her group of tigers. He is the initiator of the project and gas Fantastic theater BAR. He was part of the Prague theater majors Cellar. In the 90 graduated from the Department of screenwriting and dramaturgy at the Film and Television Academy of Performing Arts. He is writing screenplays, directing documents, which is also a cinematographer, and journalism. In several films he played a supporting role. He is the author of the book full of secrets of the island (D. Hrbek Publishing, Olomouc) and a music album Burning dreams. On his projects he is often cooperating with his wife Jana Studnickova.
BLÁZEN Z LA VERNY / dokument SVATÝ VOJTĚCH-PRVNÍ ČESKÝ EVROPAN { dokument LUBA SKOŘEPOVÁ / dokument MISTR ECKHART / dokumentHERBERT V RINGU / film NEJZNÁMĚJŠÍ ČECH JAN NEPOMUCKÝ / dokumentNEJSME ANDĚLÉ, JEN DĚLÁME JEJICH PRÁCI / dokumentEliška má rada divočinu / film
Catalogue of Upcoming Czech Documentary Films - 2012