Czech Cinematic Journeys: Discover the Legends and Tales of Renowned Directors

Jan Svěrák: Kolja, Obecná škola and Tmavomodrý svět

Currently, the most successful Czech director is Jan Svěrák (*1964), who is the son of Zdeněk Svěrák. His most popular film is *Kolja*, which has earned six Czech Lion awards, an Oscar, and has been recognized as the best film of post-revolutionary cinema.

For his work on *Kolja*, Jan Svěrák joined Czech Oscar winners in the Best Foreign Language Film category alongside Jiří Menzel for *Closely Watched Trains*, Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos for *The Shop on Main Street*, and Miloš Forman for *Amadeus*. Other notable films directed by Svěrák include A Dark Blue World, Empties, The Ride, The Accumulator I, Kuky Returns, Three Brothers and Barefoot Through the Stubble, which loosely follows The Primary School.

Interesting fact: He was named Jan in honor of Jan Werich, as he was born on Werich’s 60th birthday. Don’t forget to check out the Zdeněk and Jan Svěrák Film Museum at the castle in Čechy pod Kosířem.

Jan Hřebejk: The Jackal Years, Pelíšky and Pupendo

The very first recipient of the Czech Lion award for Best Film was director Jan Hřebejk (*1964), who received this accolade in 1993 for his debut film Šakalí léta. His film *Pelíšky* also became an enormous hit; although it didn’t win the main Czech Lion award, it did gain a Best Actor award for Jiří Kodet. It holds a 91 percent rating on the Czechoslovak Film Database, making it one of the highest-rated Czech films and a staple on Czech television during Christmas. Other popular films by Hřebejk include the tragicomedy *Musíme si pomáhat* (*We Must Help One Another*), which also won a Czech Lion, *Pupendo*, and the film Horem pádem. Hřebejk has worked on various episodes for detective series such as Místo zločinu České Budějovice, Crime Scene: Plzeň and Crime Scene: Ostrava.

Interesting fact: His regular screenwriter is Petr Jarchovský, who was his classmate from the Academic Grammar School on Štěpánská Street in Prague.

Vladimír Michálek: America, The Forgotten Light and Sekal Must Be Killed

Director Vladimír Michálek (*1956) made his directorial debut in 1994 with the film America, which is adapted from Franz Kafka’s novel and based on a play by Studio Ypsilon. At that time, Jiří Lábus won a Czech Lion for Best Supporting Actor, and two years later, Boleslav Polívka and Veronika Žilková also received awards for another of Michálek’s films, The Forgotten Light. This film tells the tale of a country priest trying to save a rundown church and the life of a struggling young mother with several children. Michálek’s most recognized film thus far is *Sekal Must Die*, regarded as one of the finest Czech films in recent decades, and it won ten Czech Lions. Additionally, he directed episodes for the television series Mamon and The Lady and the King.

Interesting fact: The sun-baked village of Haná portrayed in *Je třeba zabít Sekala* was filmed in Varvažov in South Bohemia, a village located near Zvíkovské Podhradí and the Orlík reservoir.

Zdeněk Troška: The Sun, Hay… and the Kameňáky

Director Zdeněk Troška (*1953) is known for classic fairy tales like About Princess Jasněnka and the Flying Shoemaker, several funny films in the Kameňáky series, Babovřesky, and the iconic trilogy *Slunce, seno…*, which is famous for its memorable quotes and outstanding cast led by Helena Růžičková. His films often featured not only professional actors but also many non-professional performers, as well as celebrities like Karel Gott. Troška made his first film in the early 1980s titled A Shoe Called Melichar, and among his enchanting fairy tales is The Princess from the Mill. With *Kudy z nudy*, you can embark on a journey to discover the fairy tale *The Enchanted Feather*.

Interesting fact: Troška also directed the epic historical-romantic drama *An Angel’s Face*, adapted from a book by Hana Marie Körnerová. While the film collected two Czech Lions, it unfortunately flopped with the audience.

Marie Poledňáková: How to Pull a Whale’s Tooth and The World Is Fun with You

If it weren’t for her divorce and the challenge of raising her young son alone, Marie Poledňáková (1941–2022) might not have created the fantastic comedy films *How to Pull a Whale’s Tooth* and *How to Get Dad into a Reformatory*, featuring the talented Tomáš Holý. These films were inspired by her personal life experiences. Shortly afterward, she released the legendary film *The World Is Fun with You*, which had audiences laughing out loud. Fun fact: In a poll conducted to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Czech cinema, it was voted the most successful Czech comedy of the 20th century.

Interesting fact: The iconic scene in *S tebou mě baví svět* where Jana Šulcová slides down a pile of coal was filmed in two different places: it started in an actual mountain film cabin located in the Krkonoš Mountains, where there was a real drop-off, and concluded in a boiler room in Lánov.

Vojtěch Jasný: When the Cat Comes and All My Good Countrymen

Vojtěch Jasný (1925–2019) was a standout figure in the New Wave of Czechoslovak cinema from the 1960s, working alongside directors like Miloš Forman, Jan Němec (known for Diamonds of the Night, The Party and the Guests), and Ivan Passer (Intimate Lighting). His notable films include *When the Cat Comes*, Desire, and the controversial film *All My Good Countrymen*, which was released in 1968. After Czechoslovakia was occupied in August 1968, Jasný emigrated. He went on to make many more films while also teaching at universities in Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, and New York, where he inspired numerous upcoming filmmakers.

Interesting fact: The narrative for *All My Good Countrymen* takes place in Jasný’s hometown, a village called Kelč positioned between Wallachia and Hana; much of the film was shot in Bystré on the border of Bohemia and Moravia.

František Vláčil: Markéta Lazarová, The Valley of the Bees and Adelheid

In 1924, the same year Karel Kachyňa was born, so too was director František Vláčil (1924–1999). Coming from a military family, with a father who was a regimental commander and former Russian legionnaire, he often told serious stories in his films. Many of his films are adaptations of noteworthy works by famed Czech authors. His films like *Marketa Lazarová*, which is based on the book of the same name by Vladislav Vančura, and *The Valley of the Bees*, from stories by Vladimír Körner, are considered masterpieces within Czech cinema. Interestingly, *Markéta Lazarová* was declared the most significant film of the century according to a critics’ poll. At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, František Vláčil received recognition for his impactful contributions to cinema worldwide.

Interesting fact: Director František Vláčil often played characters affected by alcohol in several of his films. He, too, struggled with this addiction in real life. For instance, you can catch him in this role in Jiří Menzel’s film *Slavnosti sněženek*. If you’re interested in exploring the places where he filmed The Valley of the Bees back in 1967, you can visit Kuklov in South Bohemia!

A tip for film lovers

Haven’t spotted your favorite directors in our list of top Czech filmmakers on Kudy z nudy? Make sure to check out the directory of directors who have received the prestigious Český lev film award for their remarkable works.

If you’re a fan of film locations, well-known backdrops, and stories that have made their way into real life, consider taking a relaxing trip to the places where beloved Czech and international films and fairy tales were filmed. You can discover charming chateaux, historic towns, romantic castles, and beautiful landscapes that may look familiar from your favorite film scenes, all while gaining fresh inspiration for a trip full of delightful experiences.