Natural prehistory comes to life in a series of special effects ‘attractions’ as Zeman’s charming adventure sees four boys enter a cave that transports them back to millions of years ago.
Arguably the artistic pinnacle of Zeman’s career, this endlessly creative work featuring an eclectic range of visual effect techniques sees the titular hero serenade us with his grand, incredulous adventures.
As imaginative as any other film from Zeman, though the storytelling may feel rather laboured, as authorities try to find several missing boys onboard a new airship that has flown away.
Still the most internationally successful Czechoslovak film of all time, Zeman’s work is a brilliant mix of live-action, animation and special effects as a kidnapped scientist naively creates a super-bomb for an evil millionaire.
Arguably the Czech New Wave’s most fiercely anarchic entry, this experimental cult film’s wild portrayal of two young women’s decision to give the middle finger to authoritarianism and the patriarchy remains as effective as ever.
The Czech New Wave makes a rare foray into sci-fi in this well-made work from the ’60s dealing with the existential perils of space exploration and the unknown.
Chytilova’s strong, effortless feature debut blurs the lines between fiction and documentary, featuring two women—a restless housewife in an extramarital affair and Eva Bosakova, one of Czechoslovakia’s most famous Olympic gymnasts.
