Discoveries from Czechoslovakia World Cinema

Day in the life of teenagers.

A folklóre film about a Strakonice ensemble performing folk songs and dances from Prácheňsko under the baton of the local teacher Josef Režný, a passionate collector of folk literature and songs. The movie draws attention to the cultural importance of the region as the land of Strakonice bagpipers and the birthplace of František Ladislav Čelakovský.

A fable on the futility of progress for its own sake.

Documentary film about one of the last forest railways in Remetské Hámre, which transports workers and carries wood.

16-year-old Hanka is experiencing the turmoil of first love. She loves college student Pavel Horák, but she cannot get close to him. Pavel is also attracted to the serious girl, but he is also shy and timid. That is why every meeting between them ends in mutual disappointment, insecurity and a feeling of threat…

Eliška Junková, born in Olomouc, is among the first women in Czechoslovakia to earn a driving licence. After winning several European races, she competes in the famous Targa Florio in 1928, earning multiple awards. Following her husband's death at the Nürburgring, she ends her racing career, yet even in its brevity, joins Europe's elite. The portrait of Junková is made by the late director Rudolf Adler, a teacher of documentary filmmaking and author of the first textbooks on the subject, who headed FAMU's Department of Documentary Film from 1990 to 1994.

Besides presenting an actual exhibition, this film about a Monument of National Literatuře also presents an interpretation of the history of Czech literature that was subject to the mores of that time. It looks at the exhibition chronologically, it comments on documents from the beginnings of the national literature up to the 1950s, emphasises the importance of the relationship of the present time with the national cultural tradition. It labels the museum itself as a “people’s university” and draws attention to its educational role.

Another well-known children's story. Jiří Brdečka made it on commission for his friend, Italian producer Max Massimino-Garnier, as part of a European animated fairy tale project.

People devote only thirteen minutes a day to sports and active recreation. This is also the case with Mr. Holoubek, who radically changes his life after a heart attack. He gives up cigarettes, which gave him a pleasant feeling of mental balance, follows Charvát’s diet, and monitors his weight loss with a test disc called “Sám sobě soupeřem” (My Own Opponent). A humorous guide on how to deal with the disease of civilization known as “poor lifestyle choices”, and advice on how to enjoy life again.

Illustration of the ballad of the same name by Karel Jaromír Erben.

A heartfelt mosaic of thoughts and dreams, where teenagers express their views on love, relationships, and the future. This poignant exploration of unexpected teenage parenthood avoids judgment, instead posing lingering questions that encourage reflection.

About young men entering basic military service.

A television production of a play by Ján Palárik. A comedy directed against nationalism, national indifference and stupid arrogance. A classic plot built on a mix-up of characters.

The pupils of III. B. Mach and Šebestová and their faithful dog Jonatán experienced their funny and instructive adventures back in 1976 in the film About the Broken Earphone. This magic earphone can make any wish come true. The feature film was created from thirteen short films of the television series connected by short interludes. The schoolchildren always use the magic earphone only for a good cause, so even if they sometimes mess something up, in the end everything turns out as it should in a fairy tale. The last newly filmed part is about their children Mach and Machová, who, with the help of the earphone, help the eternal repeaters Horáček and Pažout.

Films for children gradually fell into the grip of expressive and content sterility, succumbing to exhortative, educational tendencies. This is also the case in the story of a 14-year-old girl who has been accepted to the conservatory, but a sudden accident, a broken arm, makes her rethink her priorities - she learns that it is possible to engage in other activities than the tedious practice of piano etudes.