New Czech Films
BAM and the Czech Center New York are proud to celebrate our fourth year together co-presenting New Czech Films, which highlights important cinema from the Czech Republic.This series is organized by BAMcinématek and the Czech Center New York as part of the 2003 Czech Independence Day Celebrations. All films in Czech with English subtitles.

Forest Walkers (Lesní chodci) (2003) 102min US Premiere!
Thu, Nov 6 at 6:50, 9:10pm
Directed by Ivan Vojnár
With Jirí Schmitzer, Jitka Prosperi
Two friends decide not to demean themselves by collaborating with the Communist regime and thus deliberately become social outsiders. Director Ivan Vojnár is one of the most distinctive Czech documentarians, and his work explores the philosophical side of people’s lives.

Pupendo (2003) 126min Sneak preview!
Fri, Nov 7 at 7pm* only!
*Q&A with director Jan Hrebejk
Followed by a free reception
Directed by Jan Hrebejk
With Bolek Polívka, Jaroslav Dušek, Eva Holubová
Hrebejk’s latest film (his other work includes 2000’s Divided We Fall) continues to explore Czech history—this time, the setting is the early 1980s, as 60s political radicals find themselves unsettled in middle-age. The film juxtaposes several storylines and characters in its darkly comic vision of life behind the Iron Curtain.

Fimfárum (2002) 117min NY Premiere!
Sat, Nov 8 at 2, 4:30pm
Directed by Aurel Klimt, Vlasta Pospíšilová
A collection of animated short films based on the classic twisted fairytales of Jan Werich. Using stop-motion animation, the filmmakers bring these mischievous stories to life, including the title short Fimfarum, Fearless Frankie, and When the Leaves Fall From the Oak. With the short Fricasse (2003) Directed by Martin Krejcí.

One Hand Can’t Clap (Jedna ruka netleská) (2003) 102min Sneak Preview!
Sat, Nov 8 at 6:50*, 9:30pm
*Q&A with director David Ondrícek
Directed by David Ondrícek
With Jirí Machácek, Ivan Trojan, Marek Taclík
Entrusting the lead roles to the stars of his previous feature Loners, Ondrícek returns with a story of two men down on their luck. Just released from prison and optimistic, Standa is hopeful that the money his former boss owes him will help fulfill his dreams.

Girlie (Devcátko) (2003) 83min NY Premiere!
Sun, Nov 9 at 2, 6:50pm*
*Q&A with director Benjamin Tucek
Directed by Benjamin Tucek
With Dorota Nvotová, Jana Hubinská
Tucek’s first feature film, Girlie is the story of Ema, a brash, yet charming teenage girl, eager to flaunt her budding sexuality. The film deftly mixes awkward romantic scenes and social commentary, resulting in an eccentric yet honest comedy.

Year of the Devil (Rok d’ábla) (2002) 102min NY Premiere!
Sun, Nov 9 at 4:30, 9:30pm
Directed by Petr Zelenka
With Jaromír Nohavica, Karel Plíhal, Cechomor
A mix of documentary, true-life stories, and mystical interludes, the film features Czech folk-rock stars Jaromír Nohavica and Cechomor. A documentary filmmaker meets Nohavica in an alcohol treatment center and drops everything to document the life of a musician on the road in Zelenka’s epic film.