My Favourite Czech and Slovak Movies
These are czech or slovak movies, which I like. (The list is not complete...) ...feel free to comment and recommend.
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- DirectorDavid OndricekStarsLabina MitevskaJitka SchneiderováSasa RasilovRobert works for a travel agency and helps to arrange scenes from the everyday lives of "ordinary" Czech families as an attraction for Japanese tourists. He also works as a kind of matchmaker and occasionally helps to put together some of his friends. He helps to separate his friend Hanka from Peter, an announcer for an independent radio station who tries to capture "real" life by recording the moments from "reality" and playing them over the air. Vesna, came to Prague from Macedonia because it is according to her the best place for UFOs to land, but her real reason for coming is somewhat different... Hanka is followed by the crazy Ondrej, until then a respected brain surgeon, and married with two kids. Through him she meets Jacob, who uses copious amounts of weed in order to be constructive in this gloomy world. On the other hand, this destroys his short-term memory - and he forgets that he already has a girlfriend. The disappointed Hanka runs to her parents, only to find some twenty-odd Japanese tourists watching her parents eat their dinner...Beautiful movie about people and 90s. And great music.
- DirectorSasa GedeonStarsPavel LiskaAnna GeislerováTatiana DykováFrantisek, the main character is returning to his family. Until now he's been, "successfully" avoiding all relationships. He is an ingenuous and a pure person and thus, is regarded as an idiot. He becomes involved in various love and family conflicts. It is because he hasn't experienced much of the "real" life that he is able to perceive human relationships in their genuineness.
- DirectorJan HrebejkStarsMichael BeranMiroslav DonutilSimona StasováTwo families, Sebkovi and Krausovi, are celebrating Christmas, but not everyone is in a good mood. Teenage kids think their fathers are totally stupid; fathers are sure their children are nothing more than rebels, hating anything they say.Modern classic.
- DirectorVáclav VorlícekStarsPetra CernockáJan HrusínskýJan KrausSaxana has the enthusiasm, but lacks the right talent to become a witch. So she's kept in for 300 years - nothing unusual for a sorceress' school. Being bored, she skims through the magicians' lexicon and finds a formula which brings her into the world of the humans for 48 hours. There she meets the friendly Peter who takes her with him to school... and the adventures begin.One of my favourite comedies.
- DirectorOndrej TrojanStarsLibor KovárMatous VrbaJakub SárkaBittersweet comedy from Ondrej Trojan - "Obcanský prukaz", based on book by Petr Sabach about four teenage boys, their friends, parents, lovers - from the moment when they are 15 to moment when they are 18. Story is set in 1970s, when is Czechoslovakia occupied by Russians.another great comedy and coming of age movie.
- DirectorMarko SkopStarsIgnac CervenakJán LazoríkFedor VicoPeople from the region of Saris have been often called crazy Easterners. The OTHER WORLDS are following six of them to the end of the world, to the end of the world. They're a product made in Saris.Reality is different for everyone...
- DirectorSasa GedeonStarsTatiana DykováKlára IssováRobert StepánekA debut of director Sasa Gedeon unfolding the simple story of an adolescent girl (Klára Issová) who begins her entry into the adult world during a summer vacation spent at her grandmother's. Gedeon recasts inspiration from the 1960's Czech new wave into a sophisticated personal style which develops multiple variations on individual plot motifs.Story of two girls and one summer in the country.
- DirectorLadislav SmoljakStarsZdenek SverákValérie KaplanováPetr CepekCzech comedy film about the fictional national hero Jára Cimrman (universal genius, inventor, sportsman, criminologist, poet, writer and philosopher).This movie will finally tell you the truth about history.
- DirectorDavid OndricekStarsTatiana DykováJan P. MuchowJan CechtickySixteen-year-old Anna escapes from the family house in the province, due to the fact that she doesnt want to go to military school chosen by her father who wants Anna to be a soldier like him. Somewhere in the province road she is trying hitch-hiking to Prague. Speedy stops. He asks her where exactly in Prague she wants to go. She doesnt know but she answers that maybe she wants to go for a coffee. He says that he knows the best café in Prague and he is going to this place right now. Theyre in cafe, talking. The chat doesnt seem to go well. In certain moment Speedys brother, Phillip, joins to their company. Speedy decides to leave them alone and goes out. While there is already the late time, they are closing the cafe. Phillip offers her that she can stay overnight at them. They are coming back by foot, because Phillip doesnt like the underground. On the way the meet a suspicious man, who offers them the purchase of the gun at the very profitable price. Phillip buys it. Anna clearly is not satisfied of that. In the flat they meet Irma. Irma has been left by her boyfriend some time ago and she is occasionally having depressive states and she often cannot sleep. Anna lays down for a sleep. At dawn she gets up to have a drink. In the kitchen she meets thoughtful Phillip. The start the conversation. She points at his painting of a Martian. During the talk, Phillip tells her that he feels as she was from a different planet. Anna replies that in his eyes she seems to be stupid. She puts down the glass and leaves the place. Next day morning all the house mates turned Annas appearance into their own, more modern style. Kytka, who shows up states her dissatisfaction about Annas presence. Kytka is Philips boyfriend. Every night he goes to Masarykovo Nadrazi (train station), where he prostitutes himself with other men. Last night he spent with a Customer (older man), who fascinated him with his arguments about the privileges for homosexuals. Everybody except Irma and Phillip, who is going to join them later, are leaving to Lauras place for a party. Her flat is pretty spacious. She works as a photographer and currently she is living with a drug dealer. At the party there is plenty of people form different, eccentric communities. Some guys try to chat with Anna. During the chat with a Sportsman, there comes a man who insists on calling himself Jesus. His behaviour annoys Sportsman so much that he reacts too aggressively, he puts Jesus on down on the floor. There is a big disorder, they move wounded Jesus to the bathrooms, where Anna takes care of his injure. On the way back home, Phillip reproaches Anna that she had helped Jesus. The small arguments begins, Phillip explains Anna that she shouldnt act this way that everybody takes care on his own in this place. Anna replies, that in the place she is coming from people dont behave like that. Meanwhile on the second train station Kytka observes a Customer with the other male prostitute. Suddenly, the train which Kytka was looking from goes away. Phillip regrets his behaviour and takes Anna to the Luna park, despite the fact that he was not fancy going there. They are riding small electric car. Suddenly Anna stops the car, which implies a small crash, in which Phillip brakes up his watch, a gift from Kytka. They sit on a bench. They are talking bout the watch but it seems that Phillip isnt worried so much about it and just throws it away. Suddenly they see a falling star. At that time, Kytka was expelled from the train due to not having a ticket and rude behaviour. He catches a car and gets back home. A moment later Anna and Philip are coming back as well. Next day Anna gets up and carefully looks into Philips room. She notices that he is sleeping with Kytka. She goes to the kitchen, where Irma and Speedy notice her embarrassment. They all together go to the Pizzeria. Kytka one more time starts to behave arrogant and jealously. He starts to quarrel, throws down all the dishes and loudly calls Phillip a 'fagget'. Phillip runs after him. The argue. Phillip confesses that he is not sure that he loves him anymore. Rasped Kytka runs away. Anna, Phillip, Speedy and Kosmos go to the very popular techno club. Irma is already there. Speedy buys some drugs for Laura and Jordi. In one moment appears Kytka and after asked by Phillip, he stays with them. They take the drugs. Kytka once again offends Anna but Phillip allows her to take the drugs as well as the rest could. Kytka leaves to the bar and Philip goes after him. Anna and Speedy go to dance. On the floor they can feel the effects of the earlier-taken drugs. At that time Phillip and Kytka talk about their relationship. Phillip leaves to the toilet, Kytka follows him. Inside he starts to beat one man who called him a 'fagget'. Kytka and Phillip leave out, they reconcile. Phillip says that he still likes Kytka. Kytka goes home to have some sleep. Phillip meets Anna and Speedy. The brother goes after Kosmos. Phillip and Anna go back home. Kytka is on a railway station. Pimp has got a German Customer for him. They go the hotel apartment together, Kytka starts the blowjob, but suddenly he stops and runs away. Meanwhile Anna and Phillip are in the kitchen. Phillip starts to tell her that he is not as the other people. She knows that hes homosexual, so she replies that hes from space. For a second time he tells her that shes stupid. Anna puts down the glass and starts to walk away from him, but Phillip saying Im sorry tries to stop her by catching her arm. She turns back. He catches her hand on the arm. The come to each other. The start to kiss, and then to love. In one moment there comes Kytka. He notices Anna and Phillip in the bed together. He takes a knife and tries to kill Phillip but Anna stops him putting the gun next to his head. Kytka walks away. Desperate, he walks on the bridge. Stands on the hand-rail and considers jumping. There comes a lifeguard boat. The doctor cleverly negotiates with him, he says that Kytka will suffer but this is not a good way to commit suicide. There are much better ways to kill himself. Kytka decides not to jump. They take him to the psychiatric clinic, where Kytka behaves totally mad. He speaks as Customer, he repeats all the time that he is different and in that case has privileges. Anna and Phillip are hitch-hiking. There stops a car. After that they fly away into the space.In fact, this movie is about nothing, but I just love it. Prague in 90s. Story of a young girl, who goes away from school and has a complicated relationship with her parents, so she has nowhere to go. She hitchhikes a guy, who offers her to share a flat with him and his friends. For me this comedy/drama/romance has an atmosphere similar to this of an american independent cinema. + nice songs by Colorfactory.
- DirectorMarek DobesStepán KoprivaStarsVladimír SkultétySona TomeckovaRobert JaskówPavel and Eva are two teenagers who live a happy life full of McDonald's food, action movies and pop music. But one night, Pavel stumbles upon a secret gathering of intellectuals in the woods on his way to the video store. Not wanting to be discovered, the intellectuals attack him and the chief intellectual bites him in the leg. Some times later, he begins changing... Will the power of television, Eva's love and pop star Michal David's music save him from the intellectuals' evil clutches?
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsHana BrejchováVladimír PucholtVladimír MensíkA factory manager in rural Czechoslovakia bargains with the army to send men to the area, to boost the morale of his young female workers, deprived of male company since the local boys have been conscripted. The army sends reservists, mostly married middle-aged men - and the local beauty Andula, spurns those bold enough to try to win her, for the jazz pianist, newly come from Prague to perform. He seduces her and impresses her, telling her "most women are round, like guitars but you are a guitar by Picasso". Staying the night with him causes a lecture on a young woman's honour at her hostel so she throws over her other suitors and makes her way to Prague to find the young man. His protective Mamma and weary Pappa are not pleased when she arrives on the doorstep with her suitcase.Czech new wave is really playful with reality, when everyday situations become as much absurd as you can (or can`t) imagine. And you can "feel" the characters of this movie. For me are these older movies by Milos Forman even better than his later critically highly acclaimed stories such as Amadeus or One Flew over the Cocoo`s Nest.
- DirectorJan SvankmajerStarsJan ZácekA horrifying, surrealist version of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum" directed by the masterful animator Jan Svankmajer.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsLadislav JakimPavla MartinkovaJan VostrcilReality movie of a few days in the life of a Czech teenager when he starts work.Another one by Miloš Forman and another great one.
- DirectorOldrich LipskýStarsKarel FialaRudolf DeylMilos KopeckýStraight shooting Lemonade Joe cleans up Stetson City, in this musical parody of early Westerns, after shooting the pants off villain Old Pistol. Joe's endorsement of Kolaloka lemonade as the refresher that assures deadly aim, convinces the Arizona sin-town to abstain from alcohol. But Trigger Whiskey maker Duke Badman's brother the devious gunslinger Hogofogo, comes to save his sibling's saloon from Joe's allies, father and daughter temperance revivalists, the Goodmans. Based on famous Czech parody novel from the 1940s and its various stage adaptations.if you want to see some really unique czech cinema, just watch this "western" with comedy twist.
- DirectorPetr ZelenkaStarsMichaela BadinkováJerzy Michal BozykIgor ChmelaA film that examines the relationships between lives on both sides of the proscenium, Petr Zelenka's Karamazovi finds a Prague-based theatrical ensemble arriving in Krakow, Poland - where its members prepare to mount a stage production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.One of the best adaptations, one of the most original czech movies of the last decade and movie, which makes Petr Zelenka one of the most talented directors of today. Group of actors rehearses Dostojevsky`s Karamazov Brothers in the old factory on the theatre festival and its existential massage comes to the stage.
- DirectorStefan UherStarsMarián BielikJana BelákováOlga SalagováOldrich "Fajolo" Fajták (Marián Bielik), a student who directs quasi-existentialist verbal abuse at his girlfriend Bela Blazejová (Jana Beláková), takes off to a formally volunteer summer work camp at a farm where he meets her grandfather.I loved this movie visually, but I couldn`t get accustomed to the way of speaking. I just can`t believe that normal people would speak like characters in this movie.
And photos of human hands are absolutely the best. - DirectorDusan HanákPictures of the Old World is an unquestioned masterpiece of European documentary cinema, with existential radicalism that offers a contrast to the shallowness of hundreds of other documentary films showing images from the outskirts of civilization. The outskirts here are a Slovakian town in the Tatra Mountains. Though censored for 17 years, Dusan Hanáks poetic visual essay is not a political or even social film. It goes to far deeper and more fundamental levels of human experience. Inspired by the photographs of Martin Martinek, the films power lies in its unusual portraits of people whose raw visual beauty radiates from their very souls. Some, like the village cosmos aficionado or the disabled old man who climbs stairs on his knees, are hard to forget.An exceptional movie. It`s beautiful, it`s old, it`s real. And truthful.
- StarsVojtech LindaurOndrej KonrádPetr JandaThis one is TV serie, but it is really worth seeing. Interviews with singers and musicians, who had been creating czech music scene for 30 years. (in many cases persecuted, so it is also about political impact on music).
- DirectorKarel ZemanStarsVladimír BejvalZdenek HustakJosef LukásOne day a young boy finds a fossil of trilobite. Together with his three friends they set off on an adventurous journey through prehistory, up to the beginning of time.One of the best educational movies for children ever.
- DirectorKarel ZemanStarsLubor TokosArnost NavrátilMiroslav HolubAn evil millionaire named Artigas plans to use a super-explosive device to conquer the world from his headquarters inside an enormous volcano.Karel Zeman, Steampunk and great animation. A little better screenplay is the only thing, that keeps this movie out of perfection.
- DirectorKarel ZemanStarsMilos KopeckýRudolf JelínekJana BrejchováThe outrageous Baron Munchausen tells of his many adventures, from meeting the Man in the Moon to defeating a Turkish army all by himself.And 3rd example of czech animation by Karel Zeman.
- DirectorJirí TrnkaStarsDetsky pevecky sbor Jana KuhnaBayaya, a young peasant, protected by the spirit of his dead mother, arrives at the castle of the King, where he entertains his three daughters. He soon realizes that the three princesses are nagged by evil spirits. The little peasant manages to rid them of them, fights a duel with a wicked lord who wanted to marry one of the three princesses. He finally wins the heart of the youngest sister while saving the soul of his mother who was in purgatory.Princ Bajaja is my favourite fairy-tale by Božena Němcová and also one of my favourite childhood memories. I wanted to see this adaptation by Jiří Trnka for quite a long time - and I wasn`t disappointed - his puppets are a masterpiece.
- DirectorBorivoj ZemanStarsAlena VránováVladimír RázStanislav NeumannA fairy tale of all Czech fairy tales about the proud princess Krasomila who refused to marry King Miroslav.Another great fairy-tale about proud princess.
- DirectorMartin FricStarsNatasa GollováOldrich NovýZdenka BaldováAfter several years abroad Michal Nor comes back home to his aunt Pa and his sister Eva who just came back from board school. Aunt Pa is having a birthday soon and Eva knows that she would very much like the recipe for growing a special species of rose that her neighbor Mr. Záhorský had bred. However her aunt has difficult relationship with her neighbors and so Eva wants to steals the recipe. She poses as the neighbors' secretary. By coincidence Michal is also in the house but impersonating an English earl. And so begins a chain of funny accidents and misunderstandings.crazy old comedy.
- DirectorJan SverákStarsZdenek SverákAndrey KhalimonLibuse SafránkováA confirmed bachelor is in for the surprise of his life when a get-rich-quick scheme backfires and leaves him with a pint-sized new roommate.This boy is really adorable :-)
- DirectorJirí MenzelStarsRudolf HrusínskýVlastimil BrodskýVáclav NeckárSet in the late 1940s, the film concerns the treatment of suspect "bourgeois elements", a professor, a saxophonist, and a milkman, who are put to work in a junkyard for rehabilitation.Based on the book by Bohumil Hrabal.
- DirectorMatej MinacStarsRupert GravesJosef AbrhámJirí BartoskaTold from the perspective of man reflecting on his childhood in Prague in the early years of World War 2 and the eventual destruction of his family as the Nazis rise to power.Movie inspired by the story of Sir Nicholas Winton, who saved hundreds of Jewish children from Czechoslovakia.
- DirectorDavid OndricekStarsIvan TrojanSebastian KochSona NorisováIn the former Czechoslovakia, 1950s, police captain Hakl investigates a jewelery robbery. An opened safe deposit leads to a known burglar. What seems an easy case soon starts to tangle. When he is called off the case, he continues on his own. The investigation leads him onto thin ice. Can he beat a stronger enemy and save his family and his own life?One of the greatest czech detective stories.
- StarsVladimír JustJirí CernýJirí MenzelAnother TV serie. I recommend the part about an abstract painter Vladimír Boudnik - the founder of an explosionalism movement. (his work is similar to this of Jackson Pollock)
- DirectorVera ChytilováStarsMiroslav MachácekTalking about czech cinema and forget Prague would be unforgivable
- DirectorJuraj HerzStarsRudolf HrusínskýVlasta ChramostováJana StehnováSet in Central Europe during World War II, a demented cremator believes cremation relieves earthly suffering and sets out to save the world.I don`t understand, why is this movie classified as "comedy". It`s one of the most shocking and freezing movies I have ever seen. Maybe not my favourite, but definitely one of the best Czechoslovak movies, which was revealed to the general public not that long-ago.
- DirectorAlice NellisStarsIva BittováKarel RodenMartha IssováThis story of one day during which a life can be turned upside down was written and directed by Alice Nellis and produced by Oscar winning director Jan Sverák. Julie (Iva Bittová), a translator, has just moved into a new house with her husband Richard (Karel Roden), and their teenage daughter Cecilie (Martha Issová). Their life is supposed to be that of a perfect, happy family. Hearing news of the death of her favorite singer is the starting point for Julie to realize that her life is not as ideal as it seems. First, she gets an impulse to buy a piano. Then, during just one day's journey pursuing this idea, she changes her life completely. She must resolve her past and present first if she wants to start a new life.
- DirectorZuzana LiováStarsJudit BárdosMiroslav KrobotMarian Mitasmovie which caught the contemporary feeling of reality at (not just) provincial places/small towns.
- DirectorJan HrebejkStarsLenka VlasákováMilan MikulcíkMartin HubaRenowned psychiatrist Pavel Josek is singled out to receive a "Memory of the Nation" medal, however, it transpires that this reputedly morally irreproachable dissident once collaborated with state security agencies, informing on a former friend of his wife, Borek, and ultimately being responsible for the latter's forced emigration. Josek's family and close friends try to come to terms with these new facts.
- DirectorJuraj HerzStarsOndrej PavelkaAnna MalováJulie JuristováA poor student must rescue an ailing princess from the castle of an evil magician, who's preparing a rejuvenating elixir from the stolen hearts of nine children.
- DirectorJirí MenzelStarsJosef KemrZdenek SverákDaniela KolárováThe Lavicka's, a Czech family from the city, rents a house in the country with the option to buy. However, old Mr Komarek seems reluctant to sell the house as they agreed.
- DirectorJulius SevcíkStarsKarel RodenHanns ZischlerOldrich KaiserA period in the life of diplomat and politician Jan Masaryk, who was the son of Czechoslovakia's founder, served as the Central-European country's minister of foreign affairs and has been brutally killed by Russian secret service in 1948.
- DirectorLadislav RychmanStarsVladimír PucholtIvana PavlováMilos ZavadilA cult Czech musical from director Ladislav Rychman has remained popular with generations of Czech viewers for its sympathetic portrayal of young rebellion, timeless humor, and catchy songs courtesy of Jirí Malásek, Jirí Bazant and Vlastimil Hála.one of the best musicals and love stories ever!
- DirectorJán RohácVladimír SvitácekStarsJana BrejchováWaldemar MatuskaHana HegerováA military base. An awkward soldier. A statue of Bach. And suddenly all guns in the area change into music instruments. Great mystery is immediately found by TV station. And soon the military base becomes a stage for huge TV show.another musical. this one is also really really funny !!
- DirectorJirí ChlumskýStarsSamuel SpisákOndrej VetchýVladimir CernyThe true story of Jewish boy, and talented soccer player, Martin, who has to make risky lifetime decisions in order to survive in WWII when he sees his family is taken to Poland one by one.story of a young Jew Martin during WWII. with really beautiful locations.
- DirectorJuraj NvotaStarsRichard LabudaMilan LasicaLibuse SafránkováTragicomic family film about the world of children heroes - particularly the son of a local communist officer and his friend, a little hostage of the regime, whose parents emigrated to the West, few years before "Prague Spring" and the occupation of Czechoslovakia. Camaraderie, the first big discoveries of love, enemy gang fights and naive ideas are confronted with the reality of adult's world. The film is about the first contacts with bizarre and absurd reality of relationships and attitudes of adults, politics, emigration, but also betrayal and death and about how all those things form and transform the lives of small boys, who are forced to grow up too quickly.