Czeching 1, 2, 3, 4 ... [by Lewis Saul]

Four Czech New Wave films

Invention for Destruction (1958)

Karel Zeman (1910-1989). A master of stop-motion animation, he based the film on the Jules Verne patriotic novel Facing the Flag. Using miniature effects and matte paintings, his real-life actors had to act in an unusual stylized manner to match the animation.

Loves of a Blonde (1965)

You probably know Miloš Forman (1932-2018) from his Hollywood work, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus.

This is his second major film [after Black Peter (1964)]. The Communists were not pleased, but since it won a top prize at a film festival, they allowed him more freedom, and this film explores subject matter that must have made a few heads explode (the Communists don't come off well) ...

 

Closely Watched Trains (1966)

Jiří Menzel (1938-2020) had the gift of portraying startling humanism with a bit of satire and cutting-edge cinematography. This film is funny and sad, beautiful and dark -- but always keeps your attention. The Hollywood Code wouldn't have permitted the medical problem of the male lead, Milos (Václav Neckár) whose object of desire is the beautiful Mása (Jitka Skoffin).

 

Marketa Lazarová (1967)

František Vláčil (1924-1999) spent six years making Marketa. Set in the 13th century, the outer framework of the film concerns the friction between paganism and Christianity. The plot is extremely difficult to grasp in one viewing, and therefore repeating viewings are satisfying (Marketa was voted the best Czech film of all time in a 1998 poll).

Magda Vásáryová is extraordinary in a severely demanding role. This film will confuse you, which is a good thing.

 

P.S. American, but so Czech-related: