I. A Calendar»
January
February
March
April
May
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July
August
September
October
November
December
1. 10.
Starting on 1 October Czech filmmakers took part in shooting the series The Borgias (Borgiové, 2011, France – Germany – CR) about one of the most powerful and influential families of the Renaissance period in what is today's Italy. Twelve parts were made in the Czech Republic, the director of the first four is Oliver Hirschbiegel, who six years ago became renowned with his film Der Untergang (2004, Germany – Italy – Austria). In addition to the Barrandov studios, where, among other things, the interior of the Sistine Chapel, the Pope’s bedroom and the library in the Apostolic Palace were recreated, the filmmakers will also shoot scenes at Prague’s monuments and gardens, in Telč, at Točník and Křivoklát (Czech Republic). St. Peter's Square in Roma and the streets of Pisa will also be recreated at Barrandov. The entire budget is to be around 30 million dollars (roughly 524 million crowns). Filming will be conducted in the Czech Republic until May 2011. Producers of the series are the French company Atlantique Production Lagardere, the German company AOS Entertainment and the Czech company ETIC FILMS s. r. o. The cinematographer is Ousama Rawi who also took part in the series The Tudors (Tudorovci, 2007 – 2010, IE – CN – USA) among other things. John Doman, known from the detective series The Wire, is playing the leading role of Alexander VI, whose real name was Rodrigo Borgia. His daughter Lucrezia is played by the Russian-German actress Isolda Dychauk. Joanne Whalley, Jeremy Irons, Hollyday Grainger and Derek Jacobi are among the other famous actors in the series. Czech actors playing smaller roles include Jiří Mádl and Matěj Stropnický.
1. 10.
The film distribution company SPI International Czech republic s. r. o. changed its name to FILM EUROPE, s.r.o. The media company FILM EUROPE, s.r.o., as the successor to SPI, is geared toward the distribution of films, the production, purchase and sale of foreign, mainly European films. It also provides the cable and satellite television stations Kino CS, Doku CS and Muzika CS. It is preparing to launch the first pan-European premium television channel – FilmEurope TV.
1. - 3. 10.
Rychnov nad Kněžnou (Czech Republik) hosted the 27th annual nation-wide seminar of lecturers and members of film clubs of the CR and SR –Film Laughter of Dušan Klein (27. celostátní tematický seminář lektorů a členů filmových klubů ČR a SR – Filmový smích Dušana Kleina). The event, dedicated to the Czech film director, was organized by the Film Club in Rychnov nad Kněžnou along with the Association of Czech Film Clubs (Asociace českých filmových klubů – AČFK), the National Film Archive (Národní filmový archiv), Ateliéry Bonton Zlín (Ateliéry Bonton Zlín a. s.) and Czech Television (ČESKÁ TELEVIZE). The programme, selected by the director himself, featured films about “poets”, including the comedies Yes, My Dear Friends! (Vážení přátelé, ano, 1989), Angel Eyes (Andělské oči, 1994), the drama Good Pigeons Fly Home (Dobří holubi se vracejí, 1988), from television works Pride of Honour (Smečka cti) from the series Marital Drowning (Manželská tonutí, 1996) and the film for television Blueberry Hill (Borůvkový vrch, 2001). Also screened were the films about the director Dušan Klein’s 13th Chamber (13. komnata Dušana Kleina, 2006) and the documentary A Jew Belongs in a Café (Žid patří do kavárny) by director Jana Hádková from 1999.
1. - 7. 10.
The 10th Kansas International Film Festival was held in Kansas City (USA) where the main prize went to the Slovak-Czech co-production film Peace in the Soul (Pokoj v duši, 2009) by Vladimír Balko. The films were judged by a jury of local filmmakers, teachers and critics.
1. - 9. 10.
Prague hosted the Italian Culture Days that was organized by the civic association ARTTV, represented by Simona Chytrová, Vít Olmer and Michal Faflík. The event was held in the historic parts of Prague – in Lesser Town, on Charles Bridge and predominantly on Kampa Island. The event also featured a screening of new feature-length documentary and feature films about Venice that was commenced in the Roma hotel. The programme included the films Chia crea Venezia, ritratti di artisti (dir. Elia Romanelli, 2009), a documentary film on the work of twelve Venetian Artists and Terre rosse (dir. Dennis Dellai, 2008), a feature film of a the great love in the middle of partisan fighting during World War II. In honour of musical composer Ennio Morricone an hour-long compilation of famous films for which he composed music was shown in the Lesser Town Bridge Toner – C’era una volta il West/Once Upon a Time in the West (dir. Sergio Leone, 1968, USA – Italy), The Mission (dir. Roland Joffé, 1986, Great Britain) and The Untouchables (dir. Brian de Palma, 1987, USA). A parade with Venetian masks made by students lent the festival a Venetian atmosphere. The parade started at Charles Bridge and went to Petřín Tower, ending with a contest and prizes for the best masks. The event was accompanied by several exhibitions, for instance: Andrea Palladio, an exhibition of architecture photography at Charles Bridge Museum, Aleš Formánek, an exhibition of photography of Venice at Malostranská beseda and Pavel Piekar, an exhibition of linocuts with Venetian motives.
2. 10.
Director Miloš Forman received at the Zurich Film Festival the lifetime achievement award (23. 9. – 3. 10.). Singer Courtney Love presented it to him. In attendance at the ceremonial evening were director Oliver Stone, musician Bob Geldof and American actor Adrian Grenier, among others. Forman joins the company of other world-famous directors that were awarded in past years at the Zurich festival – including Roman Polanski, Constantin Costa-Gavras and Stephen Frears. The festival also offered a retrospective of Forman films. Viewers were treated to his latest film A Walk Worthwhile (Dobře placená procházka, 2009, CR) that had in the Czech Republic its world premiere in 2009 and the Oscar-award winning films One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975, USA) and Amadeus (1984, USA).
2. 10.
The Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno /Czech Republic/ (Janáčkova akademie múzických umění v Brně celebrated the 20th anniversary of the independent existence of its Theatre Faculty with a large gathering of its graduates. Dozens of actors, directors and representatives of other theatre professions, many of whom have left a considerable mark on Czech and Moravian stages and films, met in Brno. The number of graduates of the theatre department has exceeded nine hundred over the past two decades. Also invited to the gathering of the graduates were graduates and member of the academic community from previous years who recalled their student years and acquainted themselves with the current conditions and methods for teaching traditional and new areas of the dramatic arts. The Janáček Academy of Musical and Performing Arts in Brno (Janáčkova akademie múzických umění v Brně) was established in 1947 – among the first graduates were actors Vladimír Menšík, Ladislav Lakomý, Josef Somr and Květa Fialová. In 1959, however, the government abolished the autonomy of the Theatre and Music Department. It was only three decades later that their full renewal was once again considered. After the theatre department became independent in 1990, its offer of areas of study was considerably expanded. Dramaturgy, set design, musical acting and theatre management was added to acting and theatre direction, which the school taught before 1990. The academy also provides education in the areas of stage technology, clown stage and film work or drama education for the hearing impaired. The Theatre Faculty (Divadelní fakulta) currently has nearly 400 students. Graduates of the Theatre Department in Brno over the past twenty years include actors Miroslav Etzler, Pavel Liška, Tomáš Matonoha, Jan Budař, Alena Antalová and the latest Czech Lion recipient, Jana Plodková. The ceremonial program included the premiere of the new student staging of Chehkov’s Three Sisters.
2. 10.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Copenhagen organized in conjunction with the Danish Film School, the Danish School of Design in Copenhagen and the National Film Archive in Prague (Národní filmový archiv) a single-day screening of the greatest Czech film animators. This event took place upon the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czech director Karel Zeman (3. 11. 1910 – 5. 4. 1989). The screening took place in the screening hall of the Danish Film School and consisted of several blocks. In the first block Danish film historian Ulrik Breunning presented the history and development of Czechoslovak and Czech animated film and showed clips from the works of Czech animators: How the Mole Came by Some Trousers (Jak krtek ke kalhotkám přišel, 1957) by director and artist Zdeněk Miler, the last film made by Jiří Trnka entitled The Hand (Ruka, 1965), The Dog – Fiddler (Psí kusy, 1971) from the series by Břetislav Pojar entitled Who Threw It, Sirs? (Kdo to hodil, pánové?, 1970 – 1973), Dimensions of Dialogue (Možnosti dialogu, 1982) by Jan Švankmajer and The Fall (Pád, 1999) by Aurel Klimt. In the second part Ulrik Breunning introduced Karel Zeman’s feature film Baron Munchhausen (Baron Prášil, 1961). The second block featured an appearance by Czech animator Jiří Barta, who presented clips from his work and gave a talk on his work in the film In the Attic or Who Has a Birthday Today? (Na půdě aneb Kdo má dneska narozeniny?/Na povale alebo Kto má dnes narodeniny?, 2009, CR – SR – Japan). The final block was opened by Czech ambassador to Denmark Zdeněk Lyčka. He pointed out the contribution made by Karel Zeman to world film and introduced a short documentary film by Zdeněk Rozkopal entitled The Magical World of Karel Zeman (Kouzelný svět Karla Zemana, 1962). He also spoke of the overall work of Jiří Barta with reference to international awards that his films has received. This block concluded with the screening of the film In the Attic or Who Has a Birthday Today? (Na půdě aneb Kdo má dneska narozeniny?/Na povale alebo Kto má dnes narodeniny?)
3. 10.
Video rental shops in the Czech Republic are slowly wrapping up their activities. Over the past few years hundreds of video rental shops have closed on the Czech market due to the downloading of films from the Internet and cheap DVDs. The number of shops has dwindled down to the current state in 2010. People have simply stopped going to traditional film rental stores and prefer downloading the film for a fee from virtual film rental stores, whose numbers are on the rise. It is estimated that two or three years ago in the Czech Republic the number of video stores was 1,500; in 2010 this number is roughly 100.
4. - 10. 10.
The 36th International Film Festival on the Environment, Natural and Cultural Heritage – EKOFILM (36. mezinárodní filmový festival o životním prostředí, přírodním a kulturním dědictví – EKOFILM) in Czech towns České Budějovice, Český Krumlov and Třeboň screened 226 films from 40 countries around the world. The festival's main motto was the International Year of Biodiversity. Of the 226 documentaries 63 were from the Czech Republic; the commission chose 50 films for the competition. The five-member international jury consisted of screenwriter and director Alena Činčerová, architect Vlado Milunić, documentary filmmaker and producer Michael Havas, director and producer Ján Oparty (Slovakia) and French dramaturgist Jacques Génot. The festival president was Pavel Kovář, professor at Charles University’s the Faculty of Science in Prague. The Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic, the festival promoter, contributed CZK 6.6 million to the budget. The organizer of the EKOFILM festival was the eponymous civic association, the South Bohemian Region (Jihočeský kraj) and towns of Český Krumlov and České Budějovice. The festival was opened in Třeboň, while festival events also took place at the traditional places in České Budějovice and Český Krumlov. In addition to the screening of films there were also held discussions, workshops and panel discussions with people of interest. Festival guests included Slovak directors Pavol Barabáš and Miro Remo. Czech filmmakers personally presenting their work Bats in the Darkness (Netopýři ve tmě, 2010) were director Jan Hošek, cinematographer and producer Marián Polák and editor Tomáš Doruška. For the awarding of Czech films see 36. mezinárodní filmový festival o životním prostředí, přírodním a kulturním dědictví – EKOFILM.
4. - 15. 10.
The Scandinavian House in Prague prepared in collaboration with many Czech and foreign partners a festival of Nordic culture called Days of the North. Those attending the festival took part in over a dozen events and gatherings with interesting and rare guests. The festival commenced with the opening of an exhibition of the young Norwegian artist Anders Grønlien in the A.M.18 Gallery. It continued with a discussion with the best translators of Nordic literature entitled The Art of Translation. Also taking part were František Fröhlich, Helena Kadečková and Helena Březinová. This was followed by another literary evening with the popular Danish writer Erling Jepsen who’s well known in the Czech Republic owing mainly to his novel that the film Frygtelig lykkelig (dir. Henrik Ruben Genz, 2008) was based on. The film received the highest award, the Crystal Globe, at the 43rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2008. The next day three films filmed based on the books by Finish writer Arto Paasilinna were screened at Světozor cinema: Jäniksen vuosi (dir. Risto Jarva, 1977, Finland), Ulvova mylläri (dir. Jaakko Pakkasvirta, 1982, Finland) and Hurmaava joukkoitsemurha (dir. Ere Kakkonen, 2000, Finland). The festival’s conclusion featured one of the most famous contemporary Swedish writers, Per Olov Enquist. The festival was accompanied by partner events, especially Prague’s theatre performance, such as Lars von Trier’s play The Boss of It All at Švandovo theatre in Prague and Dogville at the National Theatre in Prague, the theatre adaptation of the successful film Kunsten å tenke negativt, 2006, Norway) by author Bård Breien at Švandovo theatre, a performance of Blanche och Marie (Blanche a Marie) by Per Olov Enquist at Na zábradlí theatre in Prague and others.
5. 10.
The ceremonial premiere of the coproduction Czech-Germany-Austrian feature film Habermann’s Mill (Habermannův mlýn/Habermann, dir. Juraj Herz, 2010, CR – Germany – Austria) took place at the Palace Cinemas Slovanský dům multiplex and at Lucerna cinema in Prague.
5. 10.
The ceremonial premiere of five documentary films made within the framework of the Breathless – Dominance of the Moment project was held at Světozor cinema in Prague: I Love My Boring Life (Mám ráda nudný život, dir. Jan Gogola ml., 2009, CR – Germany), Phantom of Liberty II (Přízrak svobody II, dir. Karel Žalud, 2009, CR – Germany), Milltown, Montana (dir. Rainer Komers, 2009, Germany), Es wird einmal gewesen sein (dir. Anca Miruna Lazarescu /ž/, 2009, Germany) and Time’s Up (dir. Jan Peters, 2009, Germany). This Czech-German project was created in 2008 on the initiative of the Zipp – Czech-German cultural project, the Institute of Documentary Film (Institut dokumentárního filmu – IDF) and the DOK Leipzig Festival.
5. 10.
The 10th Awards of the Association of Cinema Operators Nový Bor Academy of United Cinematography in the Czech Republic were announced in Nový Bor /Czech Republic/ (10. ceny Novoborské akademie spojených kinematografií Asociace provozovatelů kin ČR. Films screened in Czech cinemas from 5. 1. – 5. 10. 2010 were evaluated. For the awarding of Czech films – see 10. ceny Novoborské akademie spojených kinematografií Asociace provozovatelů kin ČR.
5. - 7. 10.
Liberec (Czech Republic) hosted The 13th World Festival of Sport Films SPORTFILM Liberec 2010 – International FICTS FESTIVAL 2010 (13. mezinárodní festival sportovních filmů SPORTFILM Liberec 2010 – INTERNATIONAL FICTS FESTIVAL 2010). The festival is the oldest participant of the largest festival of films and documentary films with sports themes WORLD FICTS CHALLENGE 2010 organized by FICTS and held regularly at the end of October and the start of November in Milano, Italy. The main sponsor of this series is the Federation Internationale Cinema Televizion Sportifs, associating festivals and producers of films with sports theme in some 90 countries around the world under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. A total of 8 films were nominated from the Liberec festival for worldwide viewing. The expert jury, chaired by František Kolář from the Olympic Study and Information Centre, chose these films on 30. – 31. 8. The jury also consisted of director Jiří Kratochvíl, ČESKÁ TELEVIZE’s script editor Petr Feldstein, ASO Dukla Liberec member Pavel Benc, Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna insurance company representative Václav Bendl, David Opatrný of the Czech Sports Association and Eva Prokešová. For the awarding of Czech films – see 13. mezinárodní festival sportovních filmů SPORTFILM Liberec 2010 – INTERNATIONAL FICTS FESTIVAL 2010.
5. - 8. 10.
The 9th film festival on animals and nature – NaturVision – was held in czech town Vimperk (9. mezinárodní festival filmů o přírodě a zvířatech – Natur Vision). There were shown fifteen awarded or interesting films from the international competition in the Bavarian town of Neuschönau, Germany, where the festival took place in mid July of this year. In 2010 a total of ten prizes were awarded as part of the German part of the festival, two more than in 2009. The most successful film was Jan Haft’s film for television Das Kornfeld – Dschungel für einen Sommer (2010, SRN), which received a NaturVision Grand Prix and the award for best camera. A NaturVision Grand Prix was also awarded to the film Rift Valley – Paradies der Tiere (dir. Harold Pokieser, 2009, Austria). The festival also had the following sidebars: An exhibition of the best photographs from the international photo competition A Fascination with Nature and an exhibition of children’s work from the 3rd annual We Like Animals competition. Over 300 children’s works were sent to the competition from all over the Czech Republic. The Vimperk festival also featured the traditional Meeting with Directors. Czech filmmakers of nature documentaries shared with visitors the results of their work and revealed some of their secrets and tricks for filming flora and fauna.
6. - 8. 10.
The 43rd International Festival of Films and Videos on Tourism TOURFILM concurrently with The 17th National Festival of Films, Videos and Multimedia on Regional Tourism TOUR REGION FILM (43. mezinárodní festival turistických filmů a videosnímků TOURFILM souběžně se 17. národním festivalem filmů, videozáznamů a multimédií o regionech v cestovním ruchu TOUR REGION FILM), which presented some 600 films or short spots from 136 countries around the world was held in Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic). Films from companies like National Geographic and the Travel Channel were among them for the first time. The main guests of the festival were BBC nature programme moderator Charlotte Uhlenbroek and Czech explorer Miloslav Stingl. Due to the large number of entered films and countries, the films were divided by continents. The Thermal Hotel served as the screening centre. Czech explorers in particular received greater space in the block of lectures. Petr Horký presented his travels to the North Pole and his crossing of Greenland on skis. Pavel Blažek recounted being the first Czech to cross the frozen Baykal Lake in Siberia and Libor Špaček and Petra Doležalová spoke of the volcanic island of Mauricius. Explorer, ethnographer and writer Miloslav Stingl (19. 12. 1930) celebrated his 80th birthday and received honorary citizenship from the town of Karlovy Vary. The festival also included a sidebar. For the awarding of Czech films – see 43. mezinárodní festival turistických filmů a videosnímků TOURFILM souběžně se 17. národním festivalem filmů, videozáznamů a multimédií o regionech v cestovním ruchu TOUR REGION FILM.
6. - 15. 10.
Goethe-Institue in Prague, the Austrian Culture Forum in Prague and the Swiss Embassy organized in Prague’s Lucerna and Evald cinemas the fifth annual Festival of German Speaking Films – Das Filmfest (5. přehlídka německy mluvených filmů Das Filmfest) that continued in Brno (Czech republik) 11. – 15. 10. in the Art cinema. Das Filmfest consisted of four thematic sections – On the Edge, Musicmania, IFFI Focus Tirol and A Night of Short Films. The festival opened with the Austrian-German film Der Räuber (dir. Benjamin Heisenberg, 2009). Also shown was the co-production Czech-German-Austrian film Habermann’s Mill (Habermannův mlýn/Habrmann, dir. Juraj Herz, 2010). Festival guests included Helmut Groshup, founder of the Innsbruck International Film Festival, director and dramatist Klaus Händl and actress Franziska Weisz, who played one of the roles in Habermann’s Mill. 9. 10. In Lucerna cinema's Marble Hall film school students introduced a programme of short films from Hamburg and Prague entitled You and Me. The gravest theme from a historical perspective was offered by two films on one of the main figures of Nazi film propaganda, Veit Harlan. Seventy years ago he shot the anti-Semitic film Jud Süss (1940) for which he was twice charged for crimes against humanity. In an eponymous film subtitled (Jud Süss – Film ohne Gewissen, 2010, Germany) by director Oskar Roehler describes with a critical distance this inciting piece of propaganda. The related documentary film Harlan – Im Schatten von Jud Süss (2009, Germany) by director Felix Moeller uses archive footage and private footage from family archives seen for the first time to tell the story of this infamous director.
7. 10.
FILMEXPORT HOME VIDEO, spol. s r. o. and the National Film Archive (Národní filmový archiv) organized upon the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the birth of Czech director Václav Krška (7. 10. 1900 – 17. 11. 1969) the christening of the DVD of the Czech feature film Silvery Wind (Stříbrný vítr, 1954) at the Národní filmový archiv’s Ponrepo screening hall at Bio Konvikt in Prague. The event also featured a screening of the documentary And the River Sang to Him? (A řeka mu zpívala?, 1976, Czechoslovakia). The film’s director, Oleg Reif, who participated in the christening of the DVD, shared his personal recollections of Václav Krška with visitors.
7. - 10. 10.
Prague viewers saw the best from the festival in Anifest at Teplice /Czech Republic/ (ANIFEST 2010 – 9. mezinárodní festival animovaných filmů) as part of the Echoes of ANIFEST 2010 event that was held in the Atlas cinema and in the Zahrada cultural centre. The screening offered a review of the ninth annual of the gratest international festival of animated films in the Czech Republic. In addition to a screening of the winning film the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czech director of animated films Karel Zeman (3. 11. 1910 – 5. 4. 1989) was commemorated with the classics The Stolen Airship (Ukradená vzducholoď, 1966) and Krabat (Čarodějův učeň, 1977). A small exhibition capturing the life and work of Karel Zeman through photographs from the family archive and posters of his films, chosen by his daughter Ludmila Zemanová and granddaughter Linda in collaboration with the studio of art of the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic), was organized at the Atlas cinema in honour of this pioneer of film fantasies. Viewers could also see contemporary animated films, including Dog’s Story (Psí historie, 2010, CR – Japan) by Czech director Břetislav Pojar and the TV animated series Three Little Pigs (Tři prasátka, 2008 – 2011) by Michal Žabka, as well as a screening of recent trends in animation around the world. The screening of other blocks was accompanied by a number of guests. The animated TV series The History of the Brave Czech Nation (Dějiny udatného českého národa, 2010) was introduced by director Pavel Koutský and one of the creators of a series of evening fairytales Up for Adventure (Vzhůru za dobrodružstvím), Galina Miklínová, presented the work to children. The morning school screening was also visited by ČESKÁ TELEVIZE dramaturgist Miloš Zvěřina.
7. - 11. 10.
The 18th Hamptons International Film Festival took place in New York. The Czech film Mamas & Papas (2010) by screenwriter and director Alice Nellis won two prestigious prizes here – the main prize for a feature film and the screenplay award (Alice Nellis, Zdenka Ulčová-Gallová). The Hamptons International Film Festival is one of the top American film festivals and was created in order to support independent filmmakers from all over the world. The jury awards three main prizes for best feature, documentary and short film. Awards of sponsors and viewers’ choice awards are also given.
7. - 15. 10.
At the 15th annual International Film Festival in the South Korean city of Busan, the largest film event in Asia, the Czech Film Centre (České filmové centrum) introduced a special section of Czech films. Entitled Czech Films Now: Cinema of Liberalism, there were screened six new Czech films: Kawasaki’s Rose (Kawasakiho růže, dir. Jan Hřebejk, 2009), An Earthy Paradise for the Eyes (Zemský ráj to napohled, dir. Irena Pavlásková, 2009), Dreamers (Zoufalci, dir. Jitka Rudolfová, 2009), Three Seasons in Hell (3 sezóny v pekle, dir. Tomáš Mašín, 2009, CR – Germany – SR), Walking Too Fast (Pouta, dir. Radim Špaček, 2010) and the documentary film Katka (dir. Helena Třeštíková, 2010). Directors Jitka Rudolfová and Irena Pavlásková personally presented their films in Busan. The Czech Film Centre (České filmové centrum) was represented for the fourth time on the Asian Film Market at the European Film Promotion stand (10. – 15. 10.).
7. 10. - 4. 12.
The 8th International Festival of Outdoor Films – A Competion and Screening of Sports, Adventure, Adrenaline and Travel Films (8. mezinárodní putovní festival outdoorových filmů MFOF – soutěž a přehlídka sportovních, dobrodružných, adrenalinových a cestopisných filmů) held in twenty-four Czech towns. The festival opened in the Velké cinema in Zlín, where it first took place. However, the official ceremonial opening was held 15. 10. in the Vesmír cinema in Ostrava and ended on 4. 12. at Lucerna cinema in Prague. Scientist, writer and explorer Miloslav Stingl (19. 12. 1930) was an honorary guest. This festival is one of the largest travelling festivals of outdoor sports, adventure, adrenaline and travel films in the Czech Republic and the world. 130 films from 23 countries were entered in the festival. The screened films were divided into four categories. The first offered sports films, the second films from mountain regions, the third aqua-adventure films and the last was devoted to travel writing. Viewers could see the Czech film Brahmaputra (dir. Ladislav Moulis, 2009) on an extreme water expedition attempting to conquer one of the most difficult water courses in the world. For the awarding of Czech films – see 8. mezinárodní putovní festival outdoorových filmů MFOF – soutěž a přehlídka sportovních, dobrodružných, adrenalinových a cestopisných filmů.
8. - 10. 10.
The 38th annual ARSfilm Kroměříž – an International Selective Competition of Non-Professional Film and Video on Art, Animated Films, Video Art and Experimentation was held in Kroměříž (38. ARSfilm – mezinárodní výběrová soutěž neprofesionálního filmu a videotvorby o umění, animovaných snímků, videoartu a experimentu (Czech Republic). Czech and foreign video programmes selected for the competition were divided into three categories: I – a work on art, including films from all areas of art, II – animated works represented by films made using all animation techniques and, III – video art and experimental films. For the awarding of Czech films – see 38. ARSfilm – mezinárodní výběrová soutěž neprofesionálního filmu a videotvorby o umění, animovaných snímků, videoartu a experimentu.
8. - 17. 10.
The 26th Warsaw Film Festival was held at which Czech films were screened: Kooky (Kuky se vrací, dir. Jan Svěrák, 2010, CR – Denmark) as a non-competition film and Walking Too Fast (Pouta, dir. Radim Špaček, 2010) in the competition section. The documentary film Eye Over Prague (Oko nad Prahou, dir. Olga Špátová, 2010) on architect Jan Kaplický and his Prague National Library (Národní knihovna České republiky) project won in the section of documentary films.
9. 10.
Czech-born director Miloš Forman accepted in Lyon (France) the Award of the Prix Lumière for lifetime achievement. In 2009 this award was presented for the first time ever to American actor and director Clint Eastwood. The Lyon festival offered a retrospective of Forman’s films. Before the presentation of the award, viewers saw the film Man on the Moon (1999, Great Britain – SRN – Japan – USA) and Valmont (1989, France – USA). Lyon’s festival Lumière 2010 focused on film history, selected both classic films from around the worlds as well as rarer and hitherto unreleased films by interesting filmmakers.
11. 10.
The Morava cinema in Veselí nad Moravou in the Hodonín region (Czech Republic) is screening films digitally starting in November. The new project improved the cinema’s services not only for visitors from the region, but was also used for specialized seminars to which fans of Russian and Asian film flocked to each year from all over the world. From 12. – 14. 11. there was held in the Morava cinema the 17th annual Seminar of Russian Films (17. seminář ruských filmů), whose theme was the lyrical film.
11. - 15. 10.
In collaboration with the Trust for Mutual Understanding the films of American director Nathaniel Dorsky were screened at the National Film Archive’s (Národní filmový archiv) Ponrepo screening hall in Bio Konvikt in Prague. The programme was entitled Nathaniel Dorsky – Song and Solitude. Dorsky personally introduced his films. The first day’s films included Sarabande (2008), Compline (2010), Aubade (2010) and Winter (2008). The next day’s films were Song and Solitude (2006), Threnody (2003 – 2004) and The Visitation (2002). Nathaniel Dorsky is one of the most important avant-garde artists and recently held the top position in the ranking of the highest esteemed directors on New York’s Lincoln Center list. In 2003 Dorsky published a book entitled Devotional Cinema.
11. - 15. 10.
At EKOTOPFILM 2010, the 37th International Film Festival on Sustainable Development that took place in Bratislava (Slovek Republic), the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry award went to one of the parts of the Ostrava Television Studio (Televizní studio Ostrava) series Under the Lid: Green Cleaners (Pod pokličkou: Zelené čističe, dir. Blanka Hollanderová, Vladimír Mráz, 2009).
11. - 16. 10.
Světozor cinema in Prague held the 8th Festival of Bollywood Films (8. festival bollywoodského filmu). The festival offered samples from films shots in Hindu that were created in Bombai. This film industry became known as Bollywood – combining the first part of Bombai with Hollywood. This term is improperly used outside of India for all Indian film production. And yet, in addition to Bombai, other centres of film industry exist in this country. Over the several years of holding Bollywood festivals, it has become a trend, fashion and phenomenon. In addition to the growing popularity of Bollywood, India itself is preparing for the role of world power. India’s stars regularly travel to London, Sydney, New York and Prague. For instance, director Imtiaz Ali filmed in the summer in the Czech Republic the film Rockstar with popular actor Ranbir Kapúr. The documentary film The Slumdog Children of Mumbai, (dir. Nick Read, 2009, Great Britain) received the award at the 8th festival. Along with Bollywood films, viewers at Prague’ Světozor cinema and Brno’s Břetislav Bakala screening room, where the festival echoes were screened (24. – 26. 11.), saw short document describing the lives of everyday people in India.
12. - 15. 10.
Ostrov (Czech Republic) hosted the 42nd Ota Hofman Children’s Film and Television Festival (42. dětský filmový a televizní festival Oty Hofmana). Eight feature-length films were included in the competition, of which five were films made for television. The aim of the second largest and second oldest children’s festival in the Czech Republic is to promote Czech audiovisual works for children. Vying for awards were The Rain Fairy (Dešťová víla, 2010) by Milan Cieslar, Kooky (Kuky se vrací, 2010, CR – Denmark) by Jan Svěrák and Broken Promise (Nedodržený slib/Nedodržaný sľub, 2009, SR – CR) by Jiří Chlumský. Among the works for television were Zdeněk Zelenka’s detective film set in a secondary school entitled Professor Sodomka’s Sin (Hřích profesora Sodomky, 2010), which is part of the five-part Oh, Those Murders! series, whose main character is the spry lawyer in a spirited performance by Jiřina Bohdalová. The festival’s jury featured, among other, director Václav Vorlíček (3. 6. 1930) and actress Sandra Pogodová. Also screened at the festival were Václav Vorlíček’s films The Girl on the Broom (Dívka na koštěti, 1971) and The Magic Purse (Kouzelný měšec/Das Zauberbuch, 1996, CR – Germany). This year’s theme was Childhood in front of the lens. This is one of the reasons why the organizers invited three former child actors: Žaneta Fuchsová – Lucy, Terror of the Street (Lucie, postrach ulice/Lucie, der Schrecken der Strasse, 1983, Czechoslovakia – Germany), The Train of Childhood and Hope (Vlak dětství a naděje, dir. Karel Kachyňa, 1985), Octopuses from the Second Floor (Chobotnice z II. patra/Die Tintentfische aus dem zweiter Stock, dir. Jindřich Polák, 1986, Czechoslovakia – Germany), Michal Dymek – Boys Will Be Boys (Páni kluci, dir. Věra Plívová-Šimková, 1976), Větrov Red Indians (Indiáni z Větrova, dir. Julius Matula, 1979), Giant and Skiers (Krakonoš a lyžníci, dir. Věra Plívová-Šimková, 1980) and Renata Mašková – The Funfair Has Arrived (Přijela k nám pouť, dir. Věra Plívová-Šimková, 1973), Great Torments (Velké trápení, dir. Jiří Hanibal, 1974), Ring a Ring o’Roses (Jak se točí Rozmarýny, dir. Věra Plívová-Šimková, 1977). Festival sidebars included the exhibition Fairytale Land by Vítězslava Klimtová. The festival director was Marek Poledníček. For the awarding of Czech films see 42. dětský filmový a televizní festival Oty Hofmana.
12. - 15. 10.
The partnership between Hamburg and Prague celebrated in 2010 the twentieth anniversary of its existence. 23. – 27. 6. A screening of Czech and German filmmakers was held in the Hamburg cinema Abaton in which each day was reserved for one Czech and one German filmmaker, whereas the directors from the host country introduced their Czech colleagues. The principle was also preserved in the autumn Prague screening at National Film Archive's (Národní filmový archiv) screening hall Ponrepo at Bio Konvikt in Prague where the following films were shown: The Private Century – King of Velichovky (Soukromé století – Král Velichovek, dir. Jan Šikl, 2009, CR), Soul of a Century (Geliebtes Leben, dir. Michael Kuball, 2001, Germany), My 20th Century (Moje 20. století, dir. Olga Sommerová, 2005, CR), Befreier und Befreite (dir. Helke Sanderová, 1991 – 1992, Germany), The Pied Piper (Krysař, dir. Jiří Barta, 1985, Czechoslovakia – Germany) and Der Rattenfänger von Hameln (dir. Franz Winzentsen, 1996 – 2000, Germany), full-lenght feature films Two Some (Dvojka, dir. Jaroslav Fuit, 2009, CR) and Madboy (dir. Henna Peschel, 2008, Germany).
12. 10. 2010 - 30. 1. 2011
The BIBIANY exhibition spaces in Bratislava (Slovak Republic) hosted two exhibitions entitled The Fantastic World of Karel Zeman, organized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czech director Karel Zeman (3. 11. 1910 – 5. 4. 1989) and second with the title What Is Hidden In the Attic (12. 10. 2010 – 15. 1. 2011), which presented the heroes and scenes from Czech director Jiří Barta’s film In the Attic or Who Has a Birthday Today? (Na půdě aneb Kdo má dneska narozeniny?/Na povale alebo Kto má dnes narodeniny?, 2009, CR – SR – Japan).
13. 10.
The European premiere of the American film Never Let Me Go (dir. Mark Romanek, 2010, Great Britain – USA) opened the 54th BFI London Film Festival (13. – 28. 10.). Two Czech films were also screened in a section Cinema Europa – Surviving Life (Přežít svůj život, 2010, ČR – SR) by Jan Švankmajer and Three Seasons in Hell (3 sezóny v pekle, 2009, ČR – SRN – SR) by director Tomáš Mašín.
13. - 17. 10.
A record number of films of various origins and quality were presented by the organizers of the 51st International Competitive Festival of Short Fiction Films – Brno Sixteen ( 51. mezinárodní soutěžní festival krátkometrážních hraných filmů – Brněnská šestnáctka). The competition featured 364 films from 41 countries including India, Vietnam, Mexico, Singapore, Argentina and Canada. This year there were fewer amateur filmmakers taking part in the festival. The competition was also open to independent professional and film school students. Chairing the international jury was Czech documentary filmmaker Miroslav Janek, who also screened his film on a group of children from an orphanage entitled Kha-chee-pae (Chačipe, 2005) and discussed the film with viewers. The festival also feature a school for short feature film and a creative workshop for children and youth, this time devoted to pixel animation. For the awarding of Czech films – see 51. mezinárodní soutěžní festival krátkometrážních hraných filmů – Brněnská šestnáctka.
14. 10.
Czech director Luboš Svoboda’s documentary Season (SEZONA, 2010) about the Prague National Theatre company had an untraditional premiere. The film maps the season of 2005/2006 when the company studied nine new plays, including Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia, Shakespeare’s Richard III or Czech writer Fráňa Šrámek’s The Bells. For the entire period the crew shot all events on a daily basis in close contact with all the actors and employees. The filmmakers recorded the work of stage designers, costume designers, make-up artists, wig makers, prompters, sound and lighting technicians, stagehands and everyone who makes the theatre work. Viewers could view rehearsals, see how the actors prepare for them, how a scene is built and what technicians do. Appearing in the film are Michal Dočekal, Iva Janžurová, František Němec, David Prachař, David Matásek, Sabina Králová, Táňa Krištůfková, František Soukup, Miloš Koutecký, Milan Školník, Jiří Trexler and Petr Pelzer. The company creative lab s.r.o. came up with the idea in preparing the theatre project Booth no. 3. The screening was held late in the evening in the Estates Theatre in Prague, which was transformed into a luxurious screening hall. The film was released on DVD.
14. - 17. 10.
The Hungarian Cultural Centre hosted in Prague the 13th Festival of Contemporary Film of Central Europe (13. přehlídka Současná filmová tvorba – střední Evropa), presenting a selection of new Hungarian, Polish, Czech and Slovak films with the filmmakers in attendance. The event was opened with the screening of works by students of Prague’s Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts ( Filmová a televizní fakulta Akademie múzických umění v Praze) and a discussion followed with the filmmakers. The screened films included: The Czech feature film HEAD-ARMS-HEART (HLAVA-RUCE-SRDCE, 2010) by David Jařab, Robert Sedláček’s sorrowfulcomedy The Greatest Czechs (Největší z Čechů, 2010), Martin Řezníček comedy Shitcredit (Šitkredit, 2009) on people as victims to “sharks” on a poorly regulated market sinking into debt, and Ivan Vojnár’s My Husband’s Women (Ženy mého muže, 2009), the Slovak documentary The Border (Hranica, 2009) by Jaroslav Vojtek, the feature Hungarian film Oda az igazság (2010) by Miklós Jancsó and the Polish documentary War Games (Gry Wojennne, 2009) by Dariusz Jabloński. Linked to the festival was a screening on 18. – 20. 10. at Atlas cinema of Polish films that was introduced by discussions on film education accompanied by clips and the use of 3-D technology.
16. - 20. 10.
Prague’s Žofín palace hosted the 47th International Television Festival Golden Prague (47. mezinárodní televizní festival – Zlatá Praha 2010), this time in autumn. The larger collaboration EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and IMZ (International Music + Media Centre) necessitated the change. This collaboration was evident in the festival's programme and sidebars. Transferred from the MIDEM festival in Cannes to Prague were the Gala screenings, from which there were created three extraordinary evenings entitled Golden Prague Premieres consisting of the premiers of newly completed works of leading filmmakers around the world who were in attendance. Visitors were treated to the travelling documentary Placido Domingo – My Greatest Roles (dir. Chris Hunt, 2009, Great Britain) the TV Swedish dance film Place (dir. Jonas Åkerlund, 2009) choreographed by Mats Ek and a recording of the concert Gustav Mahler Gala (r. Stein-Roger Bull, 2009, SRN in co-production with Czech Television ČESKÁ TELEVIZE). The jury consisted of Finish producer and director Aarno Cronvall, Australan Andrew Golding, executive producer Risalto Production Services, Dutch director Klaas Rusticus and Czech music dramaturgist Stanislav Vaněk. Chairing the jury was Hazel Wright, owner of the company Hazel Wright Media and consultant of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London. The five-member jury judged the works in the categories Music on the Screen and Documentary Films on Music and Dance. Ninety-six films from 22 countries were entered in the competition. A special guest was Jiří Kylián, choreographer and long-time art director of Nederlands Dans Theater. The closing awards ceremony was held in Žofín’s Great hall. Music at the festival included that of Bohuslav Martinů, Aram Khachaturian, Antonio Vivaldi and Leonard Bernstein performed by the European Union Youth Orchestra conducted by Miloš Kočí, featuring soloists Václav Hudeček on violin and Marek Zvolánek on trumpet. For the awarding of Czech films – see 47. mezinárodní televizní festival – Zlatá Praha 2010.
18. - 20. 10.
Prague’s Atlas cinema hosted a festival entitled Contemporary Central European Film: Poland. The programme called An Atlas of Polish Films featured successful films of contemporary Polish cinematography including the award-winning retro-comedy Rewers (dir. Borys Lankosz, 2009), which was the Polish nomination for the Oscar Award for best foreign film.
18. - 24. 10.
A screening of films and photographs of Czech director, screenwriter and teacher Vojtěch Jasný (30. 11. 1925) was held in Brno (Czech Republic). The director’s films were presented in the Art cinema and his photographs were exhibited in the Baroque hall of the Governor’s Palace in the Moravian Gallery. The opening of the exhibition was held on 21. 10. and was the director's first exhibition of artistic photography. The exhibition was introduced by Moravian Gallery director Marek Pokorný and the head of the Brno’s Masaryk University’s Institute of Film and Audiovisual Culture (Masarykova univerzita - Filozofická fakulta - Ústav filmu a audiovizuální kultury) Jiří Voráč. The retrospective of Jasný’ film was one of the largest, featuring 25 films and early documentaries and foreign films. The ceremonial opening was connected with a screening of the film All Good Countrymen (Všichni dobří rodáci, 1968, Czechoslovakia) and took place with Vojtěch Jasný and actress Drahomíra Hofmanová in attendance. Other screenings were introduced with short lectures and followed by a discussion with the filmmaker.
18. - 24. 10.
The 53rd International Leipzig Festival of Documentary and Animated Films – DOK LEIPZIG – was held in Leipzig (Germany). Tomáš Kudrna’ Czech film All That Glitters (Mlčeti zlato, 2010) obtained here the Mitteldeutschen Rundfunk Award for best Eastern European documentary film and the Healthy Workplaces Award of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU OSHA) for best film dealing with human work.
19., 22., 25., 29. 10. and 2., 9., 11., 15., 19., 22. and 24. 11.
The National Film Archive (Národní filmový archiv) screened at its Ponrepo screening hall at Bio Konvikt in Prague films by Czech director Karel Zeman (3. 11. 1910 – 5. 4. 1989) on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The cycle, entitled Karel Zeman – Complete Work included the series Czech of animated films entitled Everything about Prokouk, the animated film The King Lávra (Král Lávra,1950) and the director’s feature-length films, including A Journey into the Primeval Times (Cesta do pravěku, 1955), An Invention for Destruction (Vynález zkázy, 1958) and Krabat (Čarodějův učeň, 1977).
20. 10.
The National Film Archive’s Ponrepo screening hall at Bio Konvikt in Prague (Národní filmový archiv) hosted a screening at which representatives of the international festival Animation Biennale Bratislava and teachers of the Animation Studio at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava presented contemporary Slovak animation. The screening was held under the auspices of the Czech Ministry of Culture and was also part of the World Day of Animation festivities that takes place once a year upon the occasion of the anniversary of the first public presentation of Émil Reynaud’s “Pantomimes Lumineuses” that was given on 28 October 1892 in Paris’s Grévin Museum. This animation holiday is traditionally accompanied by a number of festivals, workshops, exhibitions and film screenings that try to acquaint viewers with animated film and its creators. In 2010 festivities were held, as in other countries around the world, in both October and November. In honour of the World Day of Animation on 20. 10. there was also held a screening of animated films in the Czech Centre in Prague where the AniFest festival (ANIFEST 2010 – 9. mezinárodní festival animovaných filmů) screened the Czech animation New Wave films (with English subtitles) and a collection of films entitled AniFest 2010 (ANIFEST 2010 – 9. mezinárodní festival animovaných filmů) Special.
20. 10.
The CineStar Anděl multiplex in Prague hosted the ceremonial premiere of the Czech feature film Identity Card (Občanský průkaz, dir. Ondřej Trojan, 2010, CR – SR).
20. 10.
The silent Soviet film from 1925 Evrejskoe schaste, dir. Alexandr Granovski, USSR) was screened in the Spanish Synagogue in Prague. The film was made based on the stories of Jewish writer Sholem Aleichem and is interesting not only as a dreamy, surreal story, but also in that a number of stars of Moscow’s State Jewish Theatre appear, led by the legendary Solomon Mikhoels and Moisei Goldblat. The music to the film was composed and played by Czech composer Miloš Orson Štědroň. The cinema concert with a unique atmosphere was part of the Cinegoga cycle. Project dramaturgist was Michaela Sidenberg, curator of the art collection of the Prague’s Jewish Museum.
20. - 22. 10.
The 9th International Festival of Films and TV Documentaries on Technical and Industrial Monuments Focusing on Cooperation in Scientific Research and on the Tourist Industry – TECHNÉ Ostrava (9. mezinárodní festival filmů a televizních pořadů o technických a průmyslových památkách se zaměřením na vědeckou spolupráci a cestovní ruch – TECHNÉ Ostrava)(Czech Republic) was held. The festival acquaints the professional and lay public with the possibilities and results of the care and protection of industrial and technical monuments in the Czech Republic and abroad. The festival also featured professional seminars, meeting and discussion programmes and excursions for specialists and students to the technical open-air museums and their immediate surroundings linked to the monuments of the industrial past. The festival’s concept focuses on the conditions in the Czech Republic and on positive examples of the results that have been achieved in this area abroad. The films were divided into nine thematic groups with the best receiving the prizes. For the awarding of Czech films – see 9. mezinárodní festival filmů a televizních pořadů o technických a průmyslových památkách se zaměřením na vědeckou spolupráci a cestovní ruch – TECHNÉ Ostrava.
21. 10.
The Cinematheque in San Francisco (USA) organized a screening of the work of Czech photographer, journalist, cinematographer, director and one of the leading representatives of the Czech photographic and film avant-garde Alexandr Hackenschmied (17. 12. 1907 – 26. 7. 2004), who emigrated in 1939 and lived the rest of his life under the name Alexander Hammid. His short films Aimless Walk (Bezúčelná procházka, 1930, Czechoslovakia) and At Prague Castle (Na Pražském hradě, 1931, Czechoslovakia) was screened in conjuction with National Film Archive (Národní filmový archiv), Prague were screening.
21. - 24. 10.
The Grand Prix of the 24th International Festival of Diving Films the High Tatras – Pribylina (Slovak Republic) went to Czech director Steve Lichtag for his film The Last Hunters (Poslední lovci, 2010, CR).
22. - 23. 10.
The Czech Centre in Košice (Slovak Republic) celebrated the Days of Czech Film with a screening of A Journey into the Primeval Times (Cesta do pravěku, 1955), The Tale of John and Mary (Pohádka o Honzíkovi a Mařence, 1988), A Jester’s Tale (Bláznova kronika, 1964) and Krabat (Čarodějův učeň, 1977) by Czech director Karel Zeman (3. 11. 1910 – 5. 4. 1989), on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth.
22. - 27. 10.
The International Festival of Animated Films was held in the Serbian city of Banja Luka. In conjunction with the National Film Archive, Prague (Národní filmový archiv) the following Czech films were screened: Mr Prokouk in Temptation (Pan Prokouk v pokušení, 1947), Mr Prokouk Is Filming (Pan Prokouk filmuje, 1948), Mr Prokouk, The Inventor (Pan Prokouk vynálezcem, 1949), Inspiration (Inspirace, 1949) a King Lávra (Král Lávra, 1950) by director Karel Zeman and A Woolly Tale (Vlněná pohádka, 1964) by director Hermína Týrlová.
22. - 31. 10.
The 13th United Nations Association Film Festival focused on human rights was held. The travelling festival presented its programme in several cities across Europe, America and Asia. Stanford University in Palo Alto, California included in as part of this event the Czech film All That Glitters (Mlčeti zlato, 2010) by Tomáš Kudrna. The film is part of the East Silver Caravan collection.
23. - 31. 10.
At the 23rd International Film Festival in Tokyo (Japan) the Sakura Grand Prix was awarded to the film by Israeli director Niro Bergman entitled Intimate Grammar (Hadikduk HaPnimi, 2010), to which Czech composer Ondřej Soukup wrote the music. The story that took place in the 1960s about a boy coming of age who stopped growing was previously awarded in Jerusalem as the best feature-length Israeli film of 2010.
26. 10.
The Czech Ministry of Culture (Ministerstvo kultury České republiky) bestowed for the second time the Award for contribution in cinematography and audiovisual. The award, which was presented on 27 October on the occasion of the World Day of Audiovisual Heritage, went to director Břetislav Pojar, one of the most significant figures of Czech and world animated film, and to director of feature films and documentaries Karel Kachyňa (1. 5. 1924 – 13. 3. 2004) in memoriam. The ministry (Ministerstvo kultury České republiky) announced on its website that the five-member jury chose from 14 candidates proposed by professional associations, research institutions and individuals from the field of film. The National Film Archive’s Ponrepo screening hall at Bio Konvikt in Prague (Národní filmový archiv) hosted the ceremonial evening.
26. 10.
The Scala cinema in Brno hosted the ceremonial premiere of the American film Accidental Army (dir. Bruce Bendinger, 2010) produced by the American company Czech Legion Project and distributed in the Czech Republic by the Czech Legionary Community as part of the LEGIE 100 project. The forty-seven minute DVD subtitled The Amazing True Story of the Czechoslovak Legion is the result of amateur research and a non-traditional view on above all the Czechoslovak legion in Russia. Renowned historians consulted on the project, but the overall work was that of laymen. The document’s objective was to record historical facts, but also to encourage viewers to realize their connection with events that took place over a hundred years ago when over 100,000 men joined to fight for Czechoslovak independence. Karel Černoch was the author of the Czech translation of the film.
26. - 31. 10.
The 14th annual International Festival of Documentary Films (14. mezinárodní festival dokumentárních filmů), subtitled the Game Goes On, took place in Jihlava (Czech Republic). The Vysočina Regional Gallery is the festival's new centre. The festival presented 274 films from 52 countries, with the organizers choosing from roughly three thousand entered films. Twenty of them had their world premieres at the festival. The main axis of the festival programme consisted of four competitions. Opus bonum offered documentary films from around the world that are thematically revealing and of high aesthetic quality, the Between the Seas focussed on highest quality films of Central and Eastern Europe. Czech Joy offered a glimpse of the latest Czech films and the section Fascination contained experimental films. Other programme sections presented current events on the Czech and foreign documentary scene and retrospectives of major filmmakers. The Jihlava festival was accompanied by a meeting of Eastern European documentary filmmakers with European television producers. The Institute of Documentary Film (Institut dokumentárního filmu – IDF) has prepared the East Silver Caravan market of documentary films from Central and Eastern Europe. It has mediated over 370 films through festival and television distribution. The oldest Jihlava competition section was a competition of Czech documentary filmmakers. Included in 2010 in the competition were the films Everything for the Good of the World and Nošovice (Vše pro dobro světa a Nošovic, 2010) by director Vít Klusák and Matchmaking Mayor (Nesvatbov, 2010) by Erika Hníková. Also presented was the continuation of the time-lapse project Four Velvet Men Now & Then (Evoluce 4 z revoluce, 2010) that director Jan Šikl took over from the late Pavel Koutecký. This consists of a portrait of four important figures of the Velvet Revolution 1989 in Czechoslovakia such as Jan Ruml, Kryštof Rímský, Martin Mejstřík and Michael Kocáb filmed over the course of 20 years. A novelty was the film by director and writer Martin Ryšavý entitled Bear Islands (Medvědí ostrovy, 2010). Ryšavý set out with a camera to Yakutsk. The Fascination section presented a wide the most remarkable films created from found or archive footage. Three world premieres were offered by the Between the Seas section, which traditionally maps documentary trends of countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The Opus bonum section presented a selection of the best documentaries from around the world. One motif linking a number of films was the documentary filmmakers unease with the economic state of the current world and the call of the filmmakers to change it. The Institute of Documentary Film (Institut dokumentárního filmu – IDF) in Jihlava opened the 10th annual Industry section designed for film professionals. During the ten years of its existence there have completed, with the support of the East European Forum and Ex Oriente Film workshop, over 70 documentary films, of which a number have won awards at festivals in Cannes and Locarno and at the Berlinale. One of the major guests was András Szirtes, a representative of Hungarian underground film. The director personally introduced a selection from his extensive filmography. For the awarding of Czech films – see 14. mezinárodní festival dokumentárních filmů.
26. - 31. 10.
In Paris (France) there was held the first French retrospective of films by Czech surrealist and director Jan Švankmajer. In collaboration with the Czech Centre in Paris there was held At the Forum des Images (a major institution dedicated to cinematography, pictures and their studies) in the presence of director Jan Švankmajer, who opened the event. Screened in the introduction was the new combined animated and feature film Surviving Life (Přežít svůj život, 2010, CR – SR). This was followed by thematically conceived screenings including all older films by this director, screenwriter and artist, documentary films on him and his work and two discussions focussing on his work.
27. 10.
The 100th anniversary of the birth of Czech film director, artist and animator Karel Zeman (3. 11. 1910 – 5. 4. 1989) was commemorated by a commemorative silver coin issued by the Czech National Bank with the motifs from Zeman’s film. The ceremonial christening at Prague’s Nostitz Palace was attended by the filmmaker’s daughter and successor in this work – artist, illustrator, director, screenwriter and writer Ludmila Zemanová, who in 1984 emigrated to Canada. The author of the 200-crown coin's design is artist and medallion designer Lenka Nebeská. On the top side of the coin is a composition of figures from Zeman’s films: Sindibád from the film Tales of a Thousand and One Nights (Pohádky tisíce a jedné noci, 1974), the witch from the film Krabat (Čarodějův učeň, 1977, CSSR – SRN) and Honzík and Mařenka from The Tale of John and Mary (Pohádka o Honzíkovi a Mařence, 1988). The other side bears the motif of a submarine, octopus and cave inspired by the film An Invention of Destruction (Vynález zkázy, 1958) and of an airship from the film The Stolen Airship (Ukradená vzducholoď, 1966). There is also the figure of Krabat from the film Krabat (Čarodějův učeň). The fairytale from 1977 represented a turning point in Zeman’s work when he began to work with 3-D scenes that are done today using computer technology. The coin made from silver and copper alloy was minted by Česká mincovna from Jablonec nad Nisou. It was issued in two versions – regular and prime – differing in surface and edges. Their diameter is 31 mm, weight 13 g and thickness 2.3 mm.
27. 10.
Open Doors Day of National Film Archive (Národní filmový archiv) was held on the occasion of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage in National Film Archive’s Ponrepo screening hall at Bio Konvikt in Prague. The ceremonial event was commenced by National Film Archive (Národní filmový archiv). Director Vladimír Opěla in pointing out the history and significance of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage by reading a message from UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura. On 27. 10. 1980 the UNESCO general conference in Belgrade passed the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images and in 2005 on the initiative of the National Film Archive (Národní filmový archiv) and the Czech Commission for UNESCO (Česká komise pro UNESCO), supported by other national commissions, the 33rd UNESCO general conference in Paris passed a resolution to declare October 27th the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. In the ceremonial day’s programme historian Jiří Horníček of National Film Archive ( and FILMEXPORT HOME VIDEO (FILMEXPORT HOME VIDEO, spol. s r. o.) director Karel Kabát presented a DVD of older Czech films that was created in collaboration between the National Film Archive (and FILMEXPORT HOME VIDEO (FILMEXPORT HOME VIDEO, spol. s r. o.), the relevant NFA employees spoke on oral history (Kateřina Lachmanová, film historians department), on the archive of Magic Lantern films (Národní filmový archiv) Jana Přikrylová, technical department head) and on the NFA library (Pavla Janásková, library head). The 100th anniversary of thebirth of Karel Zeman (3. 11. 1910 – 5. 4. 1989) was commemorated with screenings of his films Inspiration (Inspirace, 1948), Karel Zeman to Children (Karel Zeman dětem, 1980), Without a Passport and without a Visa from Kudlov to San Francisco (Bez pasu a bez víza z Kudlova do San Francisca, 1964), directed by Karel Zeman and Oldřich Lipský, and with the presentation of the silver commemorative coin of the Czech National Bank “Karel Zeman 1910 – 2010”. There was organized in the cinema’s foyer and exhibition of photographs, screenplays, publications and posters to his films. There was also screened a series of older short films from 1927 – 1944 that deal with film as a technical and artistic expressive means: How a Film Is Made (Jak se dělá film, dir. Karel Melíšek, Jaroslav Mottl, 1936), Cubor Film, a Cinematography Invention (Cubor film, vynález v oboru kinematografie, 1927), Magic Eye (Divotvorné oko, dir. Jiří Lehovec, 1939), A Cartoon in Zlín (Kreslený film ve Zlíně, 1944), Let’s Say It with Film (Řekneme to filmem, dir. Bořivoj Zeman, 1941). At the conclusion those in attendance saw the feature-length documentary The People behind the Lens (Lidé za kamerou) shot by Eduard Hofman in 1961.
27. 10.
The opening ceremony of Czech director Petr Šícha’s film Bastards (Bastardi, 2010) hosted Lucerna cinema in Prague.
27. 10. - 2. 11.
Seoul, South Korea hosted the 4th Seoul International Family Film Festival (SIFFF). Screened from the Prague’s National Film Archive’s (Národní filmový archiv) collection were the following films by Czech director Karel Zeman: The Christmas Dream (Vánoční sen, dir. Karel Zeman, Bořivoj Zeman, 1945), Mr Prokouk in Temptation (Pan Prokouk v pokušení, 1947), Mr Prokouk Is Filming (Pan Prokouk filmuje, 1948), Mr Prokouk, the Inventor (Pan Prokouk vynálezcem, 1949), Inspiration (Inspirace, 1949) and King Lávra (Král Lávra, 1950).
27. 10. - 15. 12.
Plan 9 – The 5th Experimental Movie Festival was held at the FotoGrafic Gallery in Prague. The festival presented novelties from world and Czech experimental film. It presented profiles of the various filmmakers and specially conceived thematic blocks of short films and video installations. Most films were presented to Czech viewers for the first time ever. The programme featured a cross-section of the work of the Film and Television Graphics Studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (Vysoká škola uměleckoprůmyslová v Praze - Katedra grafiky - Ateliér filmové a televizní grafiky), a selection of the best films from the past two years, a profile of French experimental filmmaker Armel Hostiou, the recipient of awards from many festivals from around the world, a live audiovisual presentation by Martin Blažíček (film, video) and Kateřina Zochová (harp, electronics) on the border of sound, image, silence and darkness, and short films by both artists. Also presented were the new films of nine filmmakers from FAMU’s Centre of audiovisual studies (Filmová a televizní fakulta Akademie múzických umění v Praze - Centrum audiovizuálních studií) and a selection of films from the Electronic image department and the Department of photography of J. E. Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem. For the first time in the Czech Republic the work of New York experimental artist Shelly Silver was presented and there was screened a film by the worse American director Edward D. Wood, Jr., Plan 9 from Outer Space (1958, USA), which lent the first part of its name to the festival’s title.
28. 10.
The following were among those who received from Czech President Václav Klaus upon the occasion of the Czechoslovak Indepedence Day national holiday the highest state decorations: actress Hana Maciuchová with a Medal of Merit of the third grade – for services to the state in the area of culture and art, Eva Zaoralová, film critic, theoretician and art director of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival MFF with a Medal of Merit of the second grade – for services to the state in the area of culture and art, poet and screenwriter Karel Šiktanc with a Medal of Merit of the second grade – for services to the state in the area of culture and art, National Gallery director, artist Milan Knížák with a Medal of Merit of the first grade – for services to the state in the area of culture and art and head conductor of the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra Vladimír Válek with a Medal of Merit of the third grade – for services to the state in the area of culture and art.
28. 10. - 7. 11.
student film of the Film and Television Academy of Performance Arts (Filmová a televizní fakulta Akademie múzických umění v Praze) I Like Nora (Nora sa mi páčí, 2009) by director Aramisova received at the 20th International Festival of Short Films in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) the award for the best foreign feature film.
29. 10.
American actor Tom Cruise thanked Prague in a special letter for the conditions provided for him in shooting the fourth part of the film series Mission: Impossible. He stated, among other things that he felt welcome and as at home in the capital of the Czech Republic. He also emphasised the pleasure he had during that time in meeting with former president Václav Havel, whom he admires and respects, and students from the Jan Palach secondary school in Prague.
29. 10. - 14. 11.
The 12th Days of Czech and German Culture were held in Dresden (Germany) and Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic). The festival opened with a concert by the Moravian group Hradišťan in the Dresden Church of the Three Kings with Senator Jaromír Jermář in attendance. Ninety cultural and educational events were held on both sides of the border. German film fans could see in Dresden the Czech-German night of short films and the Czech feature-length film Cutting It Short (Postřižiny, dir. Jiří Menzel, 1980) based on the eponymous novel by Bohumil Hrabal, whose work was one of the themes of the lectures series held as part of the Days of Czech and German Culture. The festival was organized by the Dresden Foundation Brücke/Most in conjunction with the Ústí nad Labem association Collegium Bohemicum, the cities of Dresden and Ústí nad Labem and the Czech General Consulate in Dresden.
30. 10. - 6. 11.
The 5th Komiksfest! 2010 was held in Prague. The largest Czech festival of comics presented in sixteen venues in Prague exhibitions, films, theatre performances, autograph sessions and discussions. The following Czech short films by directors Jan Bubeníček and Zdeněk Durdil under the title Honza Bubeníček “beats the drum” were screened: The Three Fuos (Tři Fuové, 2000) and Pirate (Pirát, 2002) and Animated Boners of Durdil Zdenda – the films Radio Kebrle (2006), Recovery (Uzdravení, 2004), The Imperceptible Universe (Vesmír nepoznatelný, 2003) and Májka (a video clip for the group Lety Mimo). The Muriel awards were announced at the end of Komikfestu! 2010.