AUSTIN, TX
April 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th
The four-night Czech That Film Festival will open in Pioneer Farm’s Sprinkle Corner village presented by Big Day Pictures and PolkaWorks.
Gates open at 7 p.m. Movie starts at 8. Tickets are $10 per driver, $10 per passenger in that vehicle, $8 for students. Kids age 6 and under are free.
10621 PIONEER FARMS DRIVE. AUSTIN, TEXAS, 78754
April 6th – HAVEL
Released in 2020, 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. The film 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 governance
April 13th – CHARLATAN
Directed by Agnieska Holland – Academy Award-nominated director (In Darkness)
Short-listed for Academy Award – Best International Film
5 Czech Oscars – Best Film, Director, Actor, Cinematography & Sound
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?
April 20th – ALCHEMICAL FURNACE
Documentary directed by Adam Oľha, Jan DaňhelFeaturing legendary surrealist stop motion animation filmmaker Jan Švankmajer
Great influence on Terry Gilliam, Brothers Quay, and more.
Jan Švankmajer 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.
April 27th – DRONEMAN
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.
DALLAS, TX
April 16th and 17th at 7:30pm & 18th at 3:00pm
Join us for three award-winning Czech films at Studio Movie Grill — Spring Valley.
13933 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75243
HAVEL
Friday, April 16th, 7:30 PM
Directed by Slávek Horák who visited Dallas in 2018 for his film Home Care (Domácí péce).
Released in 2020, ‘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. The film 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 governance. Acclaimed biopic on Czech dissident playwright president Václav Havel.
CHARLATAN
Saturday, April 17th, 7:30 PM
Directed by Agnieska Holland – Academy Award-nominated director (In Darkness)Short-listed for Academy Award – Best International Film
5 Czech Oscars – Best Film, Director, Actor, Cinematography & Sound
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?
ALCHEMICAL FURNACE
Sunday, April 18th, 3 PM
Documentary directed by Adam Oľha, Jan Daňhel Featuring legendary surrealist stop motion animation filmmaker Jan Švankmajer
Great influence on Terry Gilliam, Brothers Quay, and more.
Jan Švankmajer 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.
Presented by Big Day Pictures, Václav Havel Czech School of Dallas, Sokol Dallas & PolkaWorks.
*The films are in the Czech language with English subtitles.