Smoke (dir: Tomáš Vorel, 1990, 90min.)

An idealistic young man named Mirek starts working at a new company. Soon, however, he is confronted with the harsh reality of Czechoslovak workplaces in the totalitarian era – instead of enthusiastic workers he sees laziness, political protection and opportunism. He is tasked with a project that was previously worked on by another employee – an engineer who'd been ratted out and imprisoned and has been working as a mere stoker in the company’s basement ever since. Conflict emerges between Mirek and the incompetent management and further escalates into an all-employee uprising. Director Tomáš Vorel’s political satire in the form of a musical comedy is a crucial part of early Czech cinema after the Velvet revolution.

Czech with English subtitles

Tank Battalion (dir: Vít Olmer, 1991, 77 min.)

Daniel Smiřický is going through his mandatory military training in 1953. He is surrounded by socialist propaganda about the ideal and educated society: however it strongly contrasts with the incompetence of his superior commanders. Rather than being interested in defending his nation and its ideals, Daniel is interested in women. Everything gets complicated when he displeases the local major. Vít Olmer’s military comedy was one of the first Czech movies after the fall of the totalitarian regime (which it mocks). It tells a very humane story of love and friendship blooming even in the darkest times.

Czech original

Buttoners (dir: Petr Zelenka, 1997, 102 min.)

How important is the role of chance in our lives? The film offers an answer through a complex web of stories which take place during one night in Prague. A group of characters gets intertwined in six stories of happy and unhappy love, of unorthodox desires and death. A former train driver, frustrated by his dysfunctional marriage, finds solace in spitting on trains; two seemingly conservative married couples bond over the most bizarre fetishes; and the ghost of an American pilot seeks absolution for the lives he ended by dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Petr Zelenka’s absurd dark comedy consisting of six short stories will pull you into an interconnected diverse world filled with humor, tragedy and supernatural elements.

Czech original

Faust (dir: Jan Švankmajer, 1994, 97 min.)

The infinitely curious Faust is a mere present-day man in this version of Goethe's infamous classic. His questions about the meaning of human existence are finally being answered when he suddenly finds himself in a marvelous world, where God and the Devil himself fight for his soul. Faust sells his soul to the underworld beings, but then, changing his mind, attempts to fight against Lucifer’s manipulation and tries to escape the infernal deal. Director Jan Švankmajer introduces his own surrealistic take on the faustian legend formerly formulated by the likes of Goethe or Marlow.

Czech with English subtitles

Scala Blindly

It is our pleasure to invite you to a secret screening as a part of the Wild Nineties series organized by the students of Masaryk University.

Czech Soda (dir: V. Křístek, F. Fenič, P. Čtvrtníček, I. Chaun, M. Šteindler, J. Hřebejk, J. Sebechlebský, T. Kopáčková, 1993-1997,58 min.)

Do you like incorrect humor and nothing makes your day better than a good spot-on satire? Then this legendary 90’s TV show is exactly what you want. It serves as a parody of typical Czech 90’s TV programs (ranging from news to commercials) and satirizes several famous politicians. These controversial gags were famous both for their ability to amuse as well as to offend. As some reviewers have said, it is quite remarkable that this show was broadcasted by a public TV station. And is there anything wilder than a rough 90’s commentary on contemporary events? Come find out!

Czech original

Mid90s (dir: Jonah Hill, 2018, 85 min.)

13-years-old Stevie is growing up in a financially and emotionally unstable family in 1990s Los Angeles. He finds solace in skateboarding which leads him into a shop where he meets a new group of kids. With them, Stevie experiences a wild summer filled with cigarettes, alcohol and first signs of the inevitable puberty. Not only does Jonah Hill’s directorial debut successfully bring the viewer back into the 1990s – it also reminds us what it's like to perceive the world through the eyes of a confused and innocent child.

English with Czech subtitles.

Citizen Havel (dir: Pavel Koutecký, Miroslav Janek, 2007, 145 min.)

From the first baby steps of the newly formed Czech Republic to its succesful integration into the EU through the eyes of one man. Pavel Koutecký’s documentary follows Václav Havel during both of his presidential terms. Koutecký shows us the human side of Havel and contrasts his stronger and weaker moments. The director who had been following Havel with a camera for ten years unfortunately passed away before completing the picture. It was later finished by another director, Miroslav Janek.

Czech with English subtitles

The Inheritance (dir: Věra Chytilová, 1992, 118 min.)

A small Moravian village is struck by sensational news. Bohuš, a local lazy alcoholic living with his mother, suddenly learns that his deceased father left him a great fortune. He brings chaos into the inherited companies and later he wrecks his personal life by bringing home Irenka, a city prostitute, from one of his wild parties. Věra Chytilová’s legendary comedy is famous for its well-timed humor and the brilliant performance of Bolek Polívka in the role of a village simpleton. Chytilová’s critical, yet loving portrayal of the Moravian countryside undoubtedly belongs to the most famous films of early 90s Czech cinema.

Czech original