The Path Leads This Way

Vlasta Šrůtková has lived through many ups and down not just in her own life, but in the life of her country. She is exceptionally vital for her age, living on Prague’s Kampa Island, a perfect place for reflecting on Czech history, identity, the nation. Her life is an exceptionally strong story in which the central event of our country are also key moments in her own life. 

Rock legend Vladimír Mišík has his own little planet. It was discovered in 1995 by Czech astronomers from Kleť Observatory who named it in Mišík’s honour. And it is mostly on this very planet that Jitka Němcová’s new documentary about Vladimír Mišík and his beautiful songs takes place, reminiscing on all the weird things that happened in his life and recounting a rather thrilling search.

Focusing on Polish director Agnieszka Holland's relationship to Czechoslovakia, this portrait documentary travels back to the past in order to reflect upon the present. Holland began studying at Prague's film academy in 1966, and the atmosphere of the Prague Spring and its tragic culmination in Jan Palach's self-immolation affected her deeply. Few people know that she spent several months in jail for her student activities. "Over the course of one month, the people resigned. I saw how incredibly quickly Normalization affected everything, how the fear spread until only a few dissidents remained. And the people were angry at those who were brave, because they reminded them of their own cowardice and denigration."

The life story of jockey Martina Růžičková is full of loss, pain, and obstacles, but she also managed to face up to adversity with newfound strength and resolve. How does she live today, did she succeed in entering the Great Pardubice Steeplechase at age 50, and what surprises did she experience thanks to Folie d’Ocean, the mare bought for her by famous Finnish racecar driver Mika Häkkinen?

Martin Rajniš, the “enfant terrible” of Czech architecture, refuses to accept the current state of his field and of society in general. He is just as “terrible” as the French architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who designed Washington, D.C., for President Thomas Jefferson. According to one version, the expression “enfant terrible” was inspired by the fact that L’Enfant was extremely difficult to work with. Today, however, it often describes someone original, daring, and direct. The documentary captures Rajniš’s inspirational approach and his working process – both at his studio in Prague and at his country cottage in the village of Maxov in the Jizera Mountains.

After fifteen years, Czech Television has filmed a sequel to its successful documentary cycle Infiltration. This time around, the filmmakers focused on psychosomatic medicine in the Czech Republic. Unhappy with the quality of medical care and with doctors’ lack of empathy and time, many patients have turned to “alternative” treatments. But if “alternative” treatment is offered by academically certified doctors and psychologists, are they just as responsible for their actions in non-medical facilities as they are in regular doctors’ offices and hospitals? The documentary uncovers the scandalous medical practices at one Prague facility, shot over the course of one year using a hidden camera.

Petr Kotík is one of the world’s most distinguished and renowned authors and tireless promoters of European and American contemporary music. A composer, conductor and flautist on his way between New York, Prague and Ostrava in the documentary by Adam Oľha.

Professor Josef Koutecký founded, built up and institutionalised a brand new medical field – paediatric oncology – first in Czechoslovakia, later in the Czech Republic. He has been the head of a clinic, a dean and a vice-chancellor and has trained a vast number of paediatric oncologists. But this documentary is not about him as a professor but rather about him as a man. It is not about his successes but about love and faith. It is not about an elderly man but about someone who has always stood upright.

This documentary analyses the quality of infowar and the effects of disinformation in the Czech Republic. It tries to find out who is behind false reports that spread mainly through social networks and so called conspiracy webs. The film also tries to answer the question whether these false reports, stories and emotions are spread as part of Russian propaganda and whether those Czechs who are for various reasons unhappy with the direction their country chose after 1989 are in on the scheme.

The path of Petr Zuska to grand dance and choreography led from the Prague Chamber Ballet, the ballet ensemble of the National Theatre, the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens to the post of the head of the National Theatre Ballet where he spent the last 15 years. This documentary maps his work during his last year as the head of the National Theatre Ballet.

A few years ago, Michal Kody Kislicki left for Ukraine to search for his true self. Soon after his arrival he decided to help in the war-torn region of Donbass where he set up NGO Chuť pomáhat. Finally, he found much more than he had expected – the meaning of life, faith in God and his wife Ksushu.

We are all aware of the titles The Cassandra Cat, Diamonds of the Night, All My Compatriots or Dinner for Adele. But only few people know, that key aspect of their success lies behind the work of the cinematographer Jaroslav Kučera. The film portrait of one of the most talented filmmakers of 20th century, who had a significant role in the birth of the czechoslovak new wave, that helped rejuvanate world cinematography and get czechoslovakian cinema abroad.