CzechMate: In Search of Jiří Menzel

An epic exploration of the Czechoslovak New Wave cinema of the 1960s and 70s, structured around a series of conversations with one of its most acclaimed exponents - Closely Observed Trains director Jiří Menzel.

Pearls of the Deep

A manifesto of sorts for the Czech New Wave, this five-part anthology shows off the breadth of expression and the versatility of the movement’s directors. Based on stories by the legendary writer Bohumil Hrabal, the shorts range from the surreally chilling to the caustically observant to the casually romantic, but all have a cutting, wily view of the world.

To Make a Comedy Is No Fun

Documentary feature about Czech director Jiří Menzel, featuring Menzel himself as well as Miloš Forman, Emir Kusturica, István Szabó and others.

The Return of the Prodigal Son

Engineer Jan Sebek (Jan Kacer) is undergoing treatment in a mental home after his unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide. His therapist, via discussions both with the patient and with people who know him, tries to find out what made the young and seemingly satisfied man decide to end his own life. Jan's pretty wife Jana (Jana Brejchová) claims not to know about anything but she is conducting an affair with a family friend, almost publicly and with the blessing of her parents.

The Wolf from Royal Vineyard Street

The film tells the life story of its director, Jan Nemec, one of the most known and important filmmakers of Czech New Wave.

Švédská zápalka

Defendant

Managers at the construction of a big hydro plant are accused of having embezzled money.

Babička se zbláznila

How to Deserve a Princess

A fairy tale of three brothers who try to save a princess kidnapped by an evil wizard.

The Sunken Cemetery

Ivan, in his early forties, returns, after many years of absence to his native town - a typical Middle - European small town in Northern of Croatia. His roaming through Europe left him in a rather distraught state and he is now in search for his identity and peace of mind. As a child of five, he was, literary taken from his birth-place and now - bereft of his parents and family, he will try to solve the puzzling event of his childhood. Thus, in this place where so many unusual things have happened which may have had an influence on the drama...

Povídka Malostranská

Pension pro svobodné pány

A young man living in a strictly run boarding house secretly brings a girl of loose morals into his room at night, who is nevertheless well-groomed and takes great advantage of her situation. For the heart of the comedy lies in the problem of how to get rid of a difficult girl in the morning.

Daddy

This film is a documentary-style look at the life of the beloved Czech actor, Zdeněk Svěrák.

Albert

Story of an extraordinary musician, violinist, who was famous, but his alcoholism led him to poverty. Now he is playing time from time to rich people. Then Albert meets count Delesov, who tries to change Albert's life. Two different characters, two ways of life confront... Will Albert change? Should he?

The Little Apocalypse

An unknown Polish writer can't publish his novels, so his ex-wife decides to help him and get some of the profit for herself. She finally finds a publisher, but there's a strange single condition that could cost the writer his life.