Exploring Director Miloš Forman and His Journey Through Czechoslovak New Wave and Hollywood Blockbusters

Miloš Forman’s career began in the 1960s after he completed his screenwriting studies at FAMU in Prague. He was one of the pioneers of the Czechoslovak New Wave. His notable films like Black Peter, Love of a Virgin, and It’s Burning, My Doll introduced an honest and raw perspective to the cinematic landscape. By choosing to work with non-professional actors, Forman crafted stories that resonated with real life. Following the invasion of Warsaw Pact troops in 1968, he moved to the USA, where he earned global acclaim as a filmmaker. Iconic works such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Hair, Amadeus, and Man on the Moon became landmarks in film history and continue to inspire many spectators and fellow filmmakers even today.

The Competition (1963)

Forman’s debut feature film is a unique documentary that portrays an audition process for female singers seeking roles in a theatre company. This film was shot in the genuine environment of the Semafor theatre, featuring Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr, and Forman’s reliable cameraman, Miroslav Ondříček, was already on board. An intriguing detail? Some actresses were completely unaware they were being filmed!
From the outset, The Audition showcased the advantages of utilizing non-actors, resulting in an impressive level of authenticity. Interestingly, Forman chose non-actors out of necessity; professional performers often left the set for theatre rehearsals, while non-actors were available to film all day and shared a true passion for the project.

Černý Petr (1963)

The first segment of Forman’s film, The Audition, comprises two parts: the titular Competition, regarding the search for a new Semafor singer, and If the Music Wasn’t, focusing on Kmoch’s Cologne Brass Band. Forman’s second film ties in with the town of Kolín, particularly its streets and Kmoch Island, namely Black Peter. This film, made in 1963, was based on an unpublished short story by Jaroslav Papoušek and captures the early experiences of an apprentice in a self-service store. A key role was played by a non-actor, Jan Vostrčil, the bandleader from Kmoch’s music, while the unforgettable Vladimir Pucholt portrayed a bricklayer’s apprentice; his memorable “ahoy” greeting quickly caught on among young people.
The film Černý Petr secured an award at the Locarno Festival. It even outshined noted directors of that era, such as Jean-Luc Godard, known for his influential work in the French New Wave with Contempt (1963), and Michelangelo Antonioni, recognized for Red Wasteland (1964), marking the beginning of Forman’s international career.

The Loves of a Fair Maiden (1965)

The inspiration for this film, which later received an Oscar nomination, stemmed from a serendipitous meeting between Miloš Forman and a girl meandering through Prague at night with a suitcase in hand. The narrative about a girl from Varnsdorf, who is seduced and misled by a suave womanizer, was simply relocated to a different city. The film stars Hana Brejchová and Vladimír Pucholt, portraying a young girl who falls for a boy from Prague and travels to see him, only to discover that he does not take her seriously, creating a mix of humor and sadness. It was shot in various locations, including Zruč nad Sázavou, a train station, a hotel on náměstí Míru, and the Sázavan factory.

Burn, My Doll (1967)

The theme and screenplay for Forman’s last completely Czech film were crafted by the renowned trio Miloš Forman, Jaroslav Papoušek, and Ivan Passer, marking their final collaboration. This carefully made exploration of Czech middle-class life, set against the backdrop of a firemen’s ball, was produced as a co-project between Czechoslovakia and Italy, with the involvement of the well-known Italian producer Carlo Ponti. However, he later retracted from the project, even asking for a refund. Ponti was particularly dissatisfied with the choice of the beauty queen. Reportedly, he exclaimed, “When I read the script, I expected you to cast beautiful girls and not a panopticon,” directing his frustrations at Forman. After completing the film, Forman faced challenges when Czech firefighters filed an official complaint against it, leading to “The Love of a Mermaid being shelved in the early 1970s. Just for your information, the movie was filmed in Vrchlabí!

Forman’s American Films: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Hair, Valmont and Amadeus

After the occupation of Czechoslovakia in August 1968, Miloš Forman emigrated to the United States. There, he made a name for himself with the adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), telling the story of a criminal who feigns insanity to avoid prison. This film won five Oscars, including the best director award, and stands as one of the most acclaimed works in Forman’s career.

Next came Hair (1979). Although now seen as a classic musical, it did not perform exceptionally well upon its initial release in the US. A notable tidbit? Despite the film’s focus on the hippie culture, Forman didn’t have firsthand experience with that lifestyle during his youth. Following this, he struggled with Ragtime (1981), an adaptation of Edgar Lawrence Doctorow’s novel. Significant success returned with Amadeus in 1984, which was adapted from Peter Shaffer’s play about the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. This film bagged eight Academy Awards, including accolades for veteran set designer and artist Karel Černý in the Best Set and Decoration category, and costume designer Theodor Pištěk, who won for Best Costume Design. Furthermore, Amadeus showcased the breathtaking beauty of Prague to audiences worldwide.

Forman’s historical period concluded with the film Valmont (1989), based on the work of Choderlose de Laclos. Unfortunately, this film suffered due to its release closely following Stephen Frears’ earlier movie, Dangerous Liaisons, which overshadowed Valmont. This film was followed by The People v. Larry Flynt (1996), a biopic about the controversial adult magazine publisher, and Man on the Moon (1999), which centers on the comedian Andy Kaufman, concluding with Goya’s Ghosts (2006) that explored the historical tale of painter Goya, featuring Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman, and was filmed in Spain.

Forman’s films do not just tell amazing stories; they also showcase stunning locations. If you are looking to travel to the sites where these films were made, you know exactly where to start!