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Jindřich Polák, Czechoslovakia 1968, 95‘, English subtitles
Cast: Jiří Bednář, Jiří Hrzán, Svatopluk Matyáš, Elsie Randolph, Joan Seton
Drawing on Filip Jánský’s novel and the real-life experiences of Czech RAF gunners, this gripping black-and-white war drama follows a multinational bomber crew—Czech, Slovak, English, and Canadian—navigating the daily perils of air raids over Germany. When Czech gunner Student is gravely injured during an attack on Nuremberg, the crew confronts the human cost of war. Featuring authentic aerial footage and a haunting score, including Ghost Riders in the Sky, the film is both a thrilling and deeply personal portrayal of wartime aviation. Banned after the 1968 Soviet invasion, it remains a striking tribute to unsung RAF heroes.
Jaroslav Papoušek, Czechoslovakia 1969, 83‘, English subtitles
Cast: Josef Šebánek, Marie Motlová, František Husák, Helena Růžičková, Petr a Matěj Formanovi
The final gem of the Czechoslovak New Wave, Jaroslav Papoušek’s comedy, follows a single summer day with the Homolka family: grandparents, their son Ludva, daughter-in-law Heduš, and twin grandchildren. What begins as a simple countryside outing descends into chaos, exposing petty quarrels and the absurdities of everyday life in 1960s Czechoslovakia. Papoušek’s razor-sharp wit, keen social observation, and mastery of situational humour bring these unforgettable characters to life, while the mischievous Forman twins add lively spontaneity. Brimming with iconic dialogue, comedic brilliance, and subtle satire, the film remains a timeless portrait of family, materialism, and human folly.
Hugo Haas, Czechoslovakia 1937, 105´, English subtitles
Cast: Hugo Haas, Zdeněk Štěpánek, Karla Olicová, Václav Vydra Sr.
Based on Karel Čapek’s visionary play, White Disease (1937) tells of a mysterious plague sweeping the world, sparing no one—rich or poor. Only one man, Dr. Galén, holds the cure— but he will release it only if the leaders renounce war. His ultimatum collides with a ruthless dictator preparing for invasion,— a thinly veiled portrait of Hitler and Nazi Germany. Banned in Czechoslovakia after the 1938 Munich Agreement, the film remains uncannily relevant today: a tense thought-provoking parable where deadly disease and the lust for power intertwine. A forgotten classic that resonates as urgently now as on the eve of World War II.
Part of 29th Made in Prague Festival / Czech Centre London
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