Adolescence is always a difficult time; it is doubly so for Gábina. For one thing, she is growing up in the normalization years of the 1970s, and then she also has to face the reality that her father is a well-known actor disavowed by the regime. Although he abandoned the family years before, his existence casts an ominous shadow over the lives of not only Gábina, but also her older sister and mother, who are trying to find a civilized way through the social mire of the times.Read More »
Czech Republic
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Irena Pavlásková – Zemský ráj to napohled AKA An Earthy Paradise for the Eyes (2009)
Irena Pavlásková2001-2010ComedyCzech RepublicDrama -
Jan Balej – Mala z rybarny AKA Little From The Fish Shop (2015)
2011-2020AnimationCzech RepublicFantasyJan BalejDeep underneath the surface of the sea, accompanied by a fish orchestra, the voice of the ocean is telling a story about Little, the daughter of the Sea King. Forced to abandon the devastated, plundered waters of their home, the Sea King and his family ventured to live among humans. In a darkened fish shop in the heart of a harbor district, they now lead a tedious life. One day, the fish shop door flies open and in walks J. J. – a charming streetwise dandy. And this is where the plot thickens…Read More »
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Karel Kachyna – Prace AKA Slingboy (1960)
Karel Kachyna1951-1960Czech RepublicDramaWarA touching story of a Czech boy who is liberated from a concentration camp and then picked up by a Czechoslovak Army laundry unit under Soviet command. He becomes the unit’s mascot, and is given the nickname “prace” or “slingshot bearer” after Czech boys who had fought with slingshots in the Czech Hussite armies of the 15th century. The boy, along with a little Slovak girl whom the unit also rescues up along the way, participate in the liberation of his homeland.Read More »
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Jan Danhel & Adam Olha – Athanor: The Alchemical Furnace (2020)
Jan Danhel2011-2020Adam OlhaAnimationCzech RepublicDocumentaryJan Švankmajer at 85 years of age is one of the most prominent artists of European cinema. His work has inspired and guided generations of directors, and his work represents a sharp and merciless exploration of human nature which is entirely unique. When Švankmajer decided to stop filming after Insect (2018), his producer suggested that the creative processes which ferment within their film company Athanor should be preserved on film.Read More »
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Karel Zeman – Pohádky tisíce a jedné noci AKA A Thousand and One Nights (1974)
1971-1980AnimationCzech RepublicFantasyKarel ZemanAMG: In this animated feature-length movie, five different exploits of Sinbad the sailor (originally five separate “shorts” created between 1971-1974) get him mixed up with the pretty daughters of exotic potentates, with powerful monsters that threaten his existence, and with all sorts of teeming jungle life. As Sinbad triumphs over adversity, parents should be warned that some scenes of unexpected cruelty and questionable ethics (the Old Man of the Sea has his head crushed while he is too drunk to know what he is doing), may not be the best fare for smaller totsRead More »
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Véra Caïs – Une trop bruyante solitude AKA Too Loud a Solitude (1996)
1991-2000Czech RepublicFantasyVéra CaïsQuote:This is a live action film adaptation of “Too Loud a Solitude” released in the Czech Republic in 1996, one year before Bohumil Hrabal’s death. And there is a big eastern egg in the film that Hrabal played a cameo role in this film.Read More »
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Robert Hloz – Bod obnovy AKA Restore Point (2023)
2021-2030Czech RepublicRobert HlozSci-FiThrillerQuote:
Set in central Europe during 2041, a female detective investigates the case of a murdered couple where a restoration team is able to bring one of them back to life.Read More » -
Juraj Herz – Holka na zabití AKA A Girl Fit to Be Killed (1976)
Juraj Herz1971-1980ComedyCrimeCzech RepublicWhile driving to Poland, a Czech man and woman have an argument. The woman gets out of the car to relieve herself, and the driver of the car runs over her, killing her. Meanwhile, in a Czech mountain town, a young man inquires after the girl, which piques the interest of the police.Read More »
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Václav Vorlícek – Smrt si vybira AKA Death Chooses (1973)
Václav Vorlícek1971-1980CrimeCzech RepublicOne lesser known Vorliceks movie. Unfortunately NO ENGLISH SUBS yet.
Radek Simek, the driver of a postal car, is shot dead on his regular route. The Investigators give up initial suspicions of robbery, because he carried no greater amount of money. Even questioning Honza Marek, another mail car driver, brings no result. When the circumstances are becoming more and more suspicious. Marek decides to track down the killer on his own.Read More »