2021 Films & Showings:
Austin, TX – Tuesdays in April Dallas, TX – April 16th-18th
Pioneer Farms Studio Movie Grill – Spring Valley
10621 Pioneer Farms Dr. 13933 N Central Expy.
Tickets for Austin here! Tickets for Dallas here!
HAVEL
Directed by Slávek Horák
The top-grossing Czech film of 2020 with 14 Czech Oscar nominations, HAVEL traces the irony and absurdity of Václav Havel’s metamorphosis from celebrated playwright to banned and jailed human rights activist to the president of Czechoslovakia. This biopic is a highly acclaimed look at a talented yet complicated man who stood up to Eastern Bloc rule and won, eventually leading the country he helped free from totalitarian rule.
** Director Slávek Horák previously attended Czech That Film Texas 2016 for his acclaimed film Home Care (Domácí péce).
Trailer here!
Charlatan
Directed by Agnieszka Holland
Short-listed for the Academy Award (Best International Film) and the winner of 5 Czech Oscars (Best Film, Director, Actor, Cinematography & Sound) CHARLATAN was inspired by the true story of herbalist Jan Mikolasek, who dedicated his life to caring for the sick in spite of the immense obstacles he faced in his private and public life. Born at the turn of the 20th century, Mikolasek wins fame and fortune using unorthodox treatment methods to cure a wide range of diseases. One after the other, every regime will want to use his skills and in return gives him protection. But how high shall be the costs to maintain this status as the tide turns. World Premiere – Berlinale 2020.
**Director Agnieszka Holland was nominated for the 2012 Academy Award for In Darkness and has directed acclaimed American series such as The Wire, House of Cards, and Treme.
Alchemical Furnace
Documentary directed by Adam Oľha, Jan Daňhel
Featuring legendary surrealist stop motion animation filmmaker Jan Švankmajer, who at 85 years of age, is one of the most prominent artists of European cinema. His work has inspired and guided generations of directors and his work represents a sharp and merciless exploration of human nature which is entirely unique. Films such as Alice, Faust, and Little Otik changed forever the image of stop-motion and opened a world of possibilities in terms of the representation of the inner self. Over three years, directors Adam Oľha and Jan Daňhel followed the life of Jan Švankmajer, from his collaboration with an old friend and producer Jaromír Kallista to his memory of Eva Švankmajerová, his wife and creative partner, muse and inseparable another half of the director. Shot on various film formats, using found footage and with a touch of Czech humor, Alchemical Furnace is an ode to creation and to companionship.
**Švankmajer was a great influence on Terry Gilliam, Brothers’ Quay, and many more.
Droneman
Directed by Petr Zelenka
Winner of two Czech Oscars . . . The year is 1980. Michal and Juraj are students at a theological seminary in totalitarian Czechoslovakia. Fearing the dissolution of their school, the tutors are molding the students into a shape satisfactory to the ruling Communist Party. Each of the young seminarians must decide if he will give in to the temptation and choose the easier way of collaborating with the regime, or if he will subject himself to draconian surveillance by the secret police.
**Director Petr Zelenka was nominated for the 2009 Acadamy Award for The Karamazov Brothers.
Trailer Here!
About THe Fest!
Presented by Big Day Pictures and PolkaWorks, Czech That Film Texas annually brings the best of Czech contemporary cinema to Texas.
The festival is committed to exhibiting films that not only expose participants to Czech culture, but also enlighten audiences, bring people together, and present inspired entertainment for all. Normally traveling to 20 cities in the USA and Canada over the last decade, Austin and Dallas will be the only cities presenting in-person screenings in 2021.
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