- Occupation
Producer - Country
Czech Republic
Vácha Pavel
Berkat and Marsho/Happiness and Freedom
Two courageous Czech women decide to set up an organization called Berkat (Happiness) with the aim of helping war victins, especially children. Jana Hradilkova and Petra Prochazkova discover the Sputnik camp on the Chechen-Ingush border, the home of 9000 refugges, who live not only in fear and sadness but also with joy, dance, music and art. They discover the children's dance group Marsho(Freedom) whereby they decide to organize a trip abroad for them, so that they can proudly present their national dances and music. Their aim was to allow the children to experience something other than the horrors of war, but ordinary life in a warless country. Jana and Petra devote their love, time and effort and permit the children to meet new people,gain new experiences,but most importantly, to encourage their long-lasting passion of traditional dance, the only aspect from their destroyed homeland that remains with them and excitement for life in a free world.
Czechtekk Love
Jan is a member of a small soundsystem and for him Czech Tek is the event of the year. Czechtekk Love is a fragile love story told in documentary style, including black-and-white animation sequences and music. The film was shot during the rave-party Czech Tek 2003 in Ledkov near Kopidlno.
Two courageous Czech women decide to set up an organization called Berkat (Happiness) with the aim of helping war victins, especially children. Jana Hradilkova and Petra Prochazkova discover the Sputnik camp on the Chechen-Ingush border, the home of 9000 refugges, who live not only in fear and sadness but also with joy, dance, music and art. They discover the children's dance group Marsho(Freedom) whereby they decide to organize a trip abroad for them, so that they can proudly present their national dances and music. Their aim was to allow the children to experience something other than the horrors of war, but ordinary life in a warless country. Jana and Petra devote their love, time and effort and permit the children to meet new people,gain new experiences,but most importantly, to encourage their long-lasting passion of traditional dance, the only aspect from their destroyed homeland that remains with them and excitement for life in a free world.
Czechtekk Love
Jan is a member of a small soundsystem and for him Czech Tek is the event of the year. Czechtekk Love is a fragile love story told in documentary style, including black-and-white animation sequences and music. The film was shot during the rave-party Czech Tek 2003 in Ledkov near Kopidlno.
Escape from Somalia
The Somali Sea, once among the richest fisheries in the world, has been turning into a ”dead” sea in the last 15 years, due to a rampant, massive fishing by multinational fishing cartels. The film reveals the difficult plight of Somali pirates, mostly former fishermen, for whom the sea is no longer the source of livelihood. Escape from Somalia follows Ali, a young fisherman who became a pirate for some time. After an unsuccessful hijacking attempt, he had to swim in the sea for hours until he came upon another pirate boat. His older brothers, who were on the boat with him, perished. He was left alone and has been on the run ever since. The perspective of this bright young guy gives us a better idea about piracy. The film does not defend any form of violence, it tries to ponder the reasons that result in modern-day piracy.
Šípek!
Over four years, this film documented the life of Bořek Šípek, a Czech architect, glassmaker, Buddhist, avid cook and traveller. At the beginning of the shoot, Šípek lived with his partner Leona, owned a Thai restaurant in Prague and spent his weekends at Ajeto glass factory. Every week he travelled thousands of kilometres to supervise jobs in various parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. After celebrating his sixtieth birthday, he split up with his long-time girlfriend, quit the restaurant business and left Ajeto. Then he opened a couple of new glass shops and moved to another neighbourhood in Prague. After that he started working with glassmakers in Nový Bor, moved again, opened another glass shop and left the Nový Bor glass works. In January 2012, as Czech glass business struggles to survive in the global economic crisis, he opened his own glass factory in Nový Bor.
The Last Days of Václav Havel
When Václav Havel celebrated his 75th birthday at the DOX Gallery in Prague, we were one of only two crews allowed to shoot. When the sad news of Havel's death broke on Sunday, December 18, 2011, we grabbed the camera to capture people who flocked to the Prague Castle, St. Wenceslas statue and other places around Prague. Cardinal Dominik Duka offered a silent prayer at the St. Wenceslas's grave. Bells in the completely empty cathedral started to toll at 6 p.m. The film closes with footage from Havel's office as it was being cleared out at the end of January.
The Somali Sea, once among the richest fisheries in the world, has been turning into a ”dead” sea in the last 15 years, due to a rampant, massive fishing by multinational fishing cartels. The film reveals the difficult plight of Somali pirates, mostly former fishermen, for whom the sea is no longer the source of livelihood. Escape from Somalia follows Ali, a young fisherman who became a pirate for some time. After an unsuccessful hijacking attempt, he had to swim in the sea for hours until he came upon another pirate boat. His older brothers, who were on the boat with him, perished. He was left alone and has been on the run ever since. The perspective of this bright young guy gives us a better idea about piracy. The film does not defend any form of violence, it tries to ponder the reasons that result in modern-day piracy.
Šípek!
Over four years, this film documented the life of Bořek Šípek, a Czech architect, glassmaker, Buddhist, avid cook and traveller. At the beginning of the shoot, Šípek lived with his partner Leona, owned a Thai restaurant in Prague and spent his weekends at Ajeto glass factory. Every week he travelled thousands of kilometres to supervise jobs in various parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. After celebrating his sixtieth birthday, he split up with his long-time girlfriend, quit the restaurant business and left Ajeto. Then he opened a couple of new glass shops and moved to another neighbourhood in Prague. After that he started working with glassmakers in Nový Bor, moved again, opened another glass shop and left the Nový Bor glass works. In January 2012, as Czech glass business struggles to survive in the global economic crisis, he opened his own glass factory in Nový Bor.
The Last Days of Václav Havel
When Václav Havel celebrated his 75th birthday at the DOX Gallery in Prague, we were one of only two crews allowed to shoot. When the sad news of Havel's death broke on Sunday, December 18, 2011, we grabbed the camera to capture people who flocked to the Prague Castle, St. Wenceslas statue and other places around Prague. Cardinal Dominik Duka offered a silent prayer at the St. Wenceslas's grave. Bells in the completely empty cathedral started to toll at 6 p.m. The film closes with footage from Havel's office as it was being cleared out at the end of January.
Czech Producer Pavel Vacha heads up Bratři s.r.o. and has produced a number of documentary films including “Olympics Above Everything Else“ (2008) a documentary film for Czech TV on Czech athletes‘ participation in the Beijing Olympics despite Chinese human rights abuses, “A Guide to Breast Cancer“ (2010) and the upcoming 10-part series “Addiction“ for Czech TV, in addition to participating in the production of a number of Czech feature films.
Addiction (CZ, 2011) A10-part series for Czech TV Dir. Šárka Slezáková, 2011 Breganz Bajkal (CZ 2010) - Documentary Dir: Jakub Jurásek A Guide to Breast Cancer (CZ, 2010) -- Educational DVD Dir: Šárka Slezáková Olympics Above All Else (CZ, 2008) – Doc Dir. David Čálek – Czech TV Co-pro Czech Atheletes‘ Participation in Beijing Olympics Despite Chinese Human Rights Abuses Berka and Maršo / Happiness and Freedom – (CZ, 2006) -- Doc Dir: David Čálek – Czech TV Co-pro 60 Years of Czech – Indian Diplomatic Relations (CZ-IN, 2007) -- Doc Dir. Š Slezáková – Czech TV production Occupier (CZ, 2004) - Documentary for Czech TV Dir. Š. Slezáková 23 (CZ, 2003) – Documentary for Czech TV Dir. Š. Slezáková FILMS IN PRODUCTION Our Man in China (CZ, 2012) – Documentary for Czech TV Dir: M. Elšíková
FAMU - Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
Smetanovo nábřeží 2
116 65 Prague 1
Smetanovo nábřeží 2
116 65 Prague 1
Bratři s.r.o.
Bílkova 132/4
110 00 Praha 1
Bílkova 132/4
110 00 Praha 1