Alice (dir.: Jan Švankmajer, 1987, 86 min.)

Jan Švankmajer, renowned for his innovative fusion of puppet animation and live-action film, embarked on his feature debut by adapting Lewis Carroll's classic children's book, Alice in Wonderland. This uniquely dark fantasy delves into the depths of both the conscious and unconscious mind of young Alice, who stumbles into a surreal world through which she discovers the boundaries between reality and dreams.

Small catering will be prepared during the opening happening.

Language: Czech

Thelma (dir.: Joachim Trier, 2017, 116 min.)

Thelma is a fragile girl who, by attending a university far away from her family home, experiences for the first time a sense of autonomy and independence. She discovers herself, her desires and her abilities. When she falls in love with a classmate, Anja, a series of unexplained events and supernatural phenomena begin to permeate her previously calm and strictly controlled life. Through the exploration of identity, sexuality and freedom, this psychological thriller will leave the viewer pondering the nature of interpersonal relationships and the human condition itself.

Language: Norwegian / Subtitles: Czech

The Garden (dir. Martin Šulík, 1995, 99 min.)

The poetic magical-realism comedy marks the most acclaimed work thus far of the esteemed Slovak filmmaker Martin Šulík. It follows the tale of dreamer Jakub, who, in his thirties, is evicted from his family home by his father and compelled to sell his grandfather's garden to secure his own residence. Yet, captivated by the garden's enigmatic and often unpredictable nature, Jakub resolves to delve into its marvels, prompting a reassessment of his life's path.

Language: Slovak

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (dir.: Yorgos Lanthimos, 2017, 121 min.)

A psychological co-production straddling drama, thriller, and horror genres marks the second English-language endeavor of the Greek maverick Yorgos Lanthimos. The contented life of a cardiothoracic surgeon's family is disrupted by Martin – a patient whom the doctor slowly integrates into his own family. However, Martin is not the ordinary teenager he initially appears to be. Rather, he poses a potential threat to those around him when the truth about his true nature begins to surface.

Language: English / Subtitles: Czech

Annette (dir. Leos Carax, 2021, 140 min.)

The imaginative psychological rock opera by French poetic "enfant terrible" Leos Carax is the director's first English-language feature film. Combined with original allegorical songs by the rock band The Sparks, the film tells the story of Annette, the daughter of a stand-up comedian and an opera singer, who turns out to be an extraordinary child, a mysterious girl with an exceptional talent. Combining the imagery of the camera and numerous metaphors, Annette takes the audience on an exciting journey through a world of spectacle and magic.

After the screening, you can look forward to a sing-along evening, where you will have the opportunity to musically unwind in the spirit of the movie.

Language: English / Subtitles: Czech

Antichrist (dir. Lars von Trier, 2009, 108 min.)

A controversial mystery horror or an allegorical meditation on the loss of a child? Antichrist (the first film in the controversial Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy") does not ask easy questions or give clear answers. The film's strength lies in its lavishly shot landscape of a mysterious forest, with explicit scenes marking the disintegration of a grieving couple using a hand-held shaky camera reminiscent of von Trier's Dogme 95 period.

The guest for the screening will be Mgr. Ondřej Pavlík, PhD.

Language: English / Subtitles: Czech

FAMU SHORTS (dir. Nora Štrbová, Eydís Eir Björnsdótti, Philippe Kastner, Daria Kashcheeva, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 55 min.)

Unconventional animated films bringing much-needed new energy to Czech cinema. As part of the one-hour screening, we will present the film SPACES (MEZERY) by director Nora Štrbová, which brings viewers closer to the reality of individuals with short memory disorders and their surroundings. Following up is the surrealist documentary CHRYSALIS by Eydís Eir Björnsdótti, which explores the process of self-discovery amidst the contrast between one's own experiences and the perception of the surroundings. Next, we will screen the animated personal documentary Dede Is Dead (Deniska umřela) by director Philipp Kastner, where the author sensitively depicts the theme of losing a beloved animal companion. The series will conclude with the successful film Electra by Daria Kashcheeva, utilizing pixilation and surrealism to create a unique imaginative world in which the adult Electra delves into her childhood memories and unravels her relationship with her parents.

S P A C E S (dir. Nora Štrbová, 2020, 8 min.)
Czech Republic 2020 / 8 min. / director: Nora Štrbová / Language: Czech / Subtitles: English

C H R Y S A L I S (dir.: Eydís Eir Björnsdóttir, 2021, 11 min.)
Czech Republic 2021 / 11 min. / director: Eydís Eir Björnsdóttir / Language: Czech / Subtitles: English

​​Dede Is Dead (dir.: Philippe Kastner, 2022, 9 min.)
Czech Republic 2022 / 9 min. / directed by Philippe Kastner

Electra (dir: Daria Kashcheeva, 2023, 27 min.)
Czech Republic 2023 / 27 min. / director: Daria Kashcheeva / Language: Czech / Subtitles: English

The guest for the screening will be director Philippe Kastner.

Spirited Away (dir.: Hayao Miyazaki, 2001, 125 min.)

In Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki, in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, brings the themes of man's relationship with nature and human greed to the background of the protagonist's story, and comes up with a unique, timeless social critique. The story follows little Chichiro, who finds herself in a mysterious landscape ruled by ancient spirits. When the wicked witch Yubaba turns Chichiro's parents into pigs, she is determined to break the curse at any cost. Spirited is the only non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature to date.

The guest for the screening will be japanologist Mgr. Marek Mikeš, PhD.

Language: Japanes / Subtitles: Czech

Dead Man (dir.: Jim Jarmusch, 1995, 120 min.)

Jim Jarmusch's distinctive western fantasy draws attention right from the start with its mysterious atmosphere, rocker Neil Young's guitar tones and black-and-white cinematography. Humble accountant William Blake is on the run from the law after murdering a man. On his journey, he meets a powerful indigenous spiritual leader called Nobody, who believes Blake is the reincarnation of the visionary poet of the same name.

The guest for the screening will be anthropologist Irena Kašparová, M.A., PhD.

Language: English / Subtitles: Czech

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (dir.: Jaromil Jireš, 1969, 77 min.)

The collaboration between Jaromil Jireš and Ester Krumbachová, the two notable figures of the Czechoslovak New Wave, gave birth to a poetic cinematic vision that unlocks the realms of adolescence and the perceptions of the 13 years old Valerie. By merging elements of gothic horror with fairy-tale aesthetics, mysticism, and eroticism, the film crafts a visually captivating landscape. Viewers are invited to immerse themselves in its enchanting depths, exploring the wonders of the human imagination and the interplay between inner and outer worlds.

After the screening, you can look forward to the closing party, during which we will ceremoniously conclude the entire cycle.

Language: Czech