Důležité sdělení studentům

Letošní školní rok se chýlí ke konci, proto i my uzavíráme podporu filmovým projektům. Dosud jsme podpořili 25 filmů a zbývá nám podepsat ještě 11 smluv na projekty, které jste již poslali, výši příspěvků už žadatelé znají. Podmínky pro školní rok 2025/2026 Vám sdělím v průběhu září.

JARMO a Poslední sezóna

At the meeting with producer Vladimír Sabadoš we learned about two graduate films being made at FAMU. It is a bachelor graduate film by Marína Hnidková and a master graduate feature film by director Pavel Hirjak. Both films are very specific and exceed the FAMU assignment in terms of difficulty. I chose their projects because they are two ambitious films that communicate important themes in an audience-appealing way. Marín's film, entitled JARMO, tells the story of a father and son and the problem of communication between them in the environment of the High Tatras. Pavel's film - The Last Season - is a feature film, which is co-produced with our production company Inframe pictures. It is being produced as an ultra low budget film, where we are making a feature film on a short film budget. It is a story of young people coming of age, living the last three days of summer vacation. It's a story of defying prejudice to fight for their future. Both of these projects were supported by the Jiří Menzel Foundation.

Premiéra Cyrana z Bergeracu

Another film that received support from the NFJM is a bachelor film entitled "The Premiere of Cyrano of Bergerac" directed by Rudolf Mašata, who is in his third year at the Department of Editing. The producer is Tereza Havlová (photo). The main character is Vojta, an elderly man with dwarfism who works as a help in the theatre and has a dream to play the lead role in the famous French drama Cyrano of Bergerac. He has always secretly loved acting, but due to circumstances and his own doubts, he has never fulfilled his dream - until fate unexpectedly offers him the chance to step out of the shadows and onto the stage. That's when he must face his ego and his moral shadow. The story opens up the overlooked topic of the inclusion of disabled artists in the artistic community and thematises personal dignity and the limits of the creative ego. The humor used is full of cultural references. As part of the development process, the creators consulted with noted dramaturg Gaia Meucci-Astley. The Premiere of Cyrano de Bergerac has the ambition to be distributed at international film festivals.

Posledný obyvatel

Among the films supported by the Jiří Menzel Foundation is the documentary Posledný obyvatel. It is a bachelor's thesis film by Barbara Aradská, a student of FAMU's Department of Documentary Filmmaking.A documentary film charting the disintegration of family relationships, just as the neural connections in the brain of the last inhabitant of the family house keeping watch are disintegrating due to Alzheimer's disease.The filmmakers believe the film can reach a wide range of people. It can be close to anyone who sometimes feels abandoned, anyone who needs to accept some kind of loss.It speaks to younger generations through the filmmaker's coming to terms with leaving the family nest and emerging from broken homes. Older generations can relate to the film because of the sense of loneliness and the disease itself, which now affects over 180,000 people in the country. As well as for sharing the experience of living in intergenerational homes,which are disappearing nowadays.The documentary is shot in 16 mm technology, it is time-lapse, filmed over a period of 1 year in a family house in Komárno, Slovakia.The whole project was introduced by the film's producer Ester Josefína Vandasová (photo).

Morituri te salutant

The Jiří Menzel Foundation supported the project of director Matúš Servus and Memoria artis z.s., which is represented in this case by Štěpán Havlín. The film Morituri te salutant is a dark story on the border between black comedy and existential drama with strong elements of the absurd and the supernatural. The director Matouš Servus prefers a more "punk" style of filming, where authenticity and detachment play the main role. His work is influenced by a deep interest in history and religion, which is often reflected in the themes and motifs of his films. He follows contemporary cinema and draws inspiration from filmmakers who are not afraid to combine aesthetics with a critical view of society. Morituri te salutant is his most extensive auteur project to date, in which all of his previous interests, experiences and creative approaches are translated into an original vision of the afterlife under the tutelage of a corporation. The film is scheduled to shoot in August-September 2025, and we can look forward to the premiere in May next year.

Červená a černá

The Jiří Menzel Foundation will send a donation to Emma Hůlková for the upcoming short feature film Red and Black, about gambling passion and its impact. It is a film on the border between reality and dream, which charts the fall of the human soul gripped by pathological gambling. The themes of happiness, chance, loss of control and the hope of winning in life are explored. At the same time, a documentary line permeates the film. This filming was preceded by a year of research in therapeutic groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, sessions in Bohnice and Sananim. Ema Hůlková is a film director and actress, currently studying documentary filmmaking at FAMU. Her works include the poetic reportage about disinformation Behind the Humans (IFF Jihlava 2022, FAMUFEST 2023, IFF ZOOM 2024), A I'm in the Bag - about dying and the issue of making money in the field of oncology and Nežrůžnůž - about laboratory animal testing (IDFF Jihlava 2022 and FAMUFEST 2023), as well as the feature film Dodo Story, nominated for Best Screenplay, Sound and Editing at FAMUFEST 2024. Her documentary portrait of six-year-old Viktorka Ani se se naděješ a už se jmenuješ (You Don't Even Know Your Name) was nominated for the Czech Lion in the Best Short Film category and for the Magnesia Award for Best Student Film.

We support "Pokoj promluvil" film

Next week, a student crew will be on set to film "The Room Has Spoken". Matěj Vondra wrote the script and will be the director and editor of this film. Jasmina Georgieva will be behind the camera. Nela Rybáková (pictured) took part in the negotiations with the Jiří Menzel Foundation about the contribution to this project. The film will feature students from DAMU. For the time being, we will outline, in the words of the director, only a brief synopsis of the nascent film.David is in trouble. Consumed by anger from the feeling of abandonment, he closes himself off from the world and embarks on a personal review and re-evaluation. Using photographs plastered around his room, he imaginatively visits and explores his life's memories in an attempt to find the roots of his painful loneliness. The result of the exploration reveals a silent and heartless reality.

Velký rozhovor s Istvánem Szabó vyšel i na novinky.cz

Potkali se jako studenti režie v 60. letech minulého století v Praze. Přátelství jim vydrželo desítky let. Oba mají své Oscary. Vzájemně si dávali role. „Slavili jsme spolu taky narozeniny. Jirka rád jezdíval, pracoval v Budapešti, kde žiju,“ vypráví mi maďarská legenda světové režie István Szabó. Jirkou nemyslí nikoho jiného než Jiřího Menzela.  Celý článek naleznete zde.

Rozhovor s Istvánem Szabó

Jedním z hostů našeho nadačního večera byl také maďarský oskarový režisér István Szabó. Maďarskému tisku poskytl rozhovor, který Vám nabízíme k přečtení v češtině: SZABÓ G. LÁSZLÓ (autor článku) Arnoštek, provazochodec z filmu Rozmarné léto, je vyobrazen na skleněné soše, kterou Nadace Jiřího Menzela daruje umělcům, kteří měli blízký vztah k tomuto oscarovému českému filmaři. Letošním laureátem ceny je István Szabó, který po desetiletí udržoval hluboké přátelství se svým pražským kolegou, který zemřel na podzim roku 2020. István Szabó a Jiří Menzel se poprvé setkali na začátku své kariéry, když studovali režii na vysoké škole v Praze. Byli to mladí Maďaři ve věku kolem dvaceti let, několikamístná skupina, která přijela na návštěvu FAMU, která se brzy stala evropsky proslulou, ale tehdy ještě nikdo z nich netušil, že za pár let bude jméno jejich českých kolegů znát půl světa. Jiří Menzel začal v roce 1965 filmem Smrt pana Baltazara, István Szabó o dva roky dříve, rovněž krátkým filmem (Te), sklidil první úspěch. Co vám utkvělo v paměti z vašeho prvního setkání v první polovině šedesátých let? Byla to organizovaná cesta. Setkali jsme se s celou třídou. Dívky, chlapci, dobře jsme si povídali, cítili jsme se příjemně. Netušili jsme, že jedna z nich bude později slavná Věra Chytilová, další Evald Schorm, třetí Ivan Passer, čtvrtý Jan Němec a pátý Jiří Menzel. Vzpomínám si i na Miloše Formana, i když ten s nimi nechodil do ročníku. Tehdy to byli ještě kluci, o pár let později významní obnovitelé českého filmu. Všichni byli velmi přístupní, jen Forman se choval zdrženlivě. O kolik let později, již jako známí filmoví režiséři, jste se znovu setkali? Ingmar Bergman svolal dvanáctičlennou skupinu, abychom založili klub evropských filmových režisérů. Tehdy jsme ještě netušili, že se to bude jmenovat Evropská filmová akademie. Bergman seděl uprostřed stolu, po jedné straně Wim Wenders, po druhé já, naproti nám Bernardo Bertolucci, vedle něj Jiří Menzel… Byla to začínající organizace, které předsedal Bergman. Někdo se ozval, že bychom měli poblahopřát kolegovi k narozeninám! Byl jsem dojatý, že sedím mezi tak milými lidmi, kteří vědí, kdy mám narozeniny, a myslí na mě. Zčervenal jsem se, ale než jsem stačil poděkovat, Jiří Menzel, který seděl naproti mně, mě předběhl. Poděkoval mu. O přestávce jsme si pak povídali, že máme oba narozeniny, protože jsme se narodili ve stejném roce, ve stejném měsíci, jen já o pár dní dříve. Nalili jsme si sklenku červeného vína a od té doby jsme slavili společně. Každý rok v únoru. Obvykle jsme se setkali kolem našich narozenin, což nebylo těžké, protože Jirka často pracoval v Budapešti. Když ne v divadle, tak ve filmu. Ale stávalo se i to, že jsme oslavovali v Praze. Jakým jazykem jste spolu mluvili? Zvláštní směs němčiny a angličtiny. Později jsme zjistili, že jsme se oba učili francouzsky, a od té doby jsme do německo-anglické směsice přidali i francouzštinu. Z každého jazyka jsme používali slova, která jsme zrovna znali. Jak se z tohoto přátelství stala filmová spolupráce? Jirka se mě jednou zeptal, čím se teď zabýváš? Řekl jsem mu, že píšu scénář, připravuji nový film. A co v něm hraju? – zeptal se. Ty? Ano, co hraju ve tvém filmu? – chtěl vědět. Tak jsem mu napsal roli ve filmu Rokonok. Musel jsem jen dbát na to, aby zapadl do filmu. Krátce nato mi zavolal vedoucí produkce, že mám příští týden jet do Prahy, letenka na mě čeká v budapešťské kanceláři ČSA a že mám hrát v jedné scéně připravovaného filmu Jiřího Menzela. Byl to film Obsluhoval jsem anglického krále. Nejprve jsem si myslel, že si ze mě dělají legraci. Ale paní to rozhodně zopakovala, že Jirka mě opravdu chce ve svém filmu. Je to jeho zvláštní přání. Tak jsem odjel do Prahy a zapojil se do scény. Jsem tam mezi milionáři z příběhu. A tak jsme si házeli míč. Jirka měl jedno vtipné gesto. Rád mě šťouchal do zadku. Na to se dalo zvyknout? Jen to bylo překvapivé poprvé. V Německu jsme zastupovali Evropskou filmovou akademii. Na Bergmanovu žádost jsme měli vystoupit na pódium a říct něco o nově vzniklém formátu. Jirka vystoupil na pódium, ale zastavil se na okraji. Požádal jsem ho, aby přišel ke mně, protože měl také něco říct. Přistoupil ke mně a před zraky všech mě jemně kopl do zadku. Z toho bylo jasné, že Evropská filmová akademie není zrovna skupina vážných lidí. Jak jste viděl Jiřího Menzel před kamerou, ve filmech Příbuzní a Potom ve filmu Brána? Byl to vynikající herec. Vždy se schovával za to, že by ho nikdo neměl kritizovat, když udělá něco špatně, protože není herec. Ano, režisér řekne, co chce. Já jsem mu to řekl a on to udělal. Skvěle. Jirka byl jako režisér zcela výjimečná osobnost. Točil filmy, jaké dnes v kinematografii nenajdete. Všechna jeho díla jsou plná ironie, humoru a porozumění. Jeho hrdinové jsou lidé, kteří klopýtají a někdy i padají na trnitých cestách života, ale on je zobrazuje s takovou láskou, že i když se jim smějeme, nakonec si uvědomíme, že se vlastně smějeme sami sobě. Protože jsme se s nimi ztotožnili. Ernst Lubitsch byl podobný v jednom či dvou filmech. Ještě jednoho bych mohl zmínit. A dnes už není žádný režisér, z něhož by vyzařovalo tolik lásky a sebeironie. Nikdy to není sentiment, ale vždy jemná sebeironie. Jeho filmy jsou takové, jaký byl on sám, který se dokázal smát sám sobě. Miluji filmy, z nichž si mohu něco odnést, které mi pomáhají žít, protože se z nich učím. Jiří Menzel mě naučil, jak se smát sám sobě odvážně a upřímně. Byl Ingmar Bergman přísný učitel? Od něj jsem získal odvahu klidně a dlouho se zdržovat u lidské tváře. Pozorovat ji, jako bych s ní mluvil. Vzpomínám si na jeho film Večeře, ve kterém Ingrid Thulinová hraje učitelku a píše dopis. Nevím, jak dlouhý je dopis, který čte do kamery, ale její pohled je tak bohatý a silný, že mě ani na vteřinu nenudí. Stejně jsem sledoval tváře Liv Ullmann a Bibi Andersson v Personě. Vkládají do Bergmanova textu své vlastní myšlenky a city a ukazují věci, které může ukázat jen film, pohyblivý obraz. City, které se rodí a mění na lidské tváři, a které mohou být i mými city. Nebo to byly kdysi moje emoce a teď jsem je poznal. Uvědomil jsem si, že s těmito emocemi nejsem sám, že se to všechno stalo i mně. Ale kdy? Jo, jasně, už vím. Jsou to tedy tváře, které mi pomáhají žít. To je pro mě filmové umění. Důležitá je tvář, která mě reprezentuje. Vidím někoho, jak se rodí vztah nebo jak se naplňuje emocionální stav, a uklidním se, protože Stellan Skarsgård, Harvey Keitel nebo Ralph Fiennes prožívají na plátně to, co jsem já už prožil. To je pro mě podstata filmu. Bergman pronikl hluboko do lidské duše. Uměl odhalovat rány. Spíš je odkrývat. Ve všech svých filmech naznačuje, že se nemáte bát, že to, co se vám stalo, se stalo i jiným. Nejste sami. Jen nejste Švédové. Viděl jste, jak pracuje se svými herci? Na premiéře jednoho mého filmu ve Stockholmu se mě zeptali, jestli bych se chtěl setkat s Bergmanem. Samozřejmě, že ano, odpověděl jsem. Řekli mi, že právě natáčí, ale že se poptají, jestli mě přijme. Za hodinu mi zavolali, že mě Bergman očekává a že mám být v deset hodin ráno u dveří studia. Deset minut před desátou jsem tam už nervózně přecházel sem a tam. Se švýcarskou přesností se v deset hodin otevřely dveře, vyšel Bergman, rozhlédl se, uviděl mě a zeptal se anglicky: „Jste Szabó?“ Odpověděl jsem, že ano. Okamžitě mě vzal za ruku, zavedl do studia a provedl mě po kulisách filmu Fanny a Alexander. Zpočátku to bylo divné, protože jsem nebyl zvyklý chodit s muži za ruku, navíc mi v sedmi letech zemřel otec a vyrůstal jsem mezi ženami. V ložnici rodičů z filmu mě pustil, posadili jsme se naproti sobě a začal se mě vyptávat, co dělám a co si myslím o filmu. Pak přišla řeč i na jeho díla a zajímalo ho, co jsem z nich pochopil. Po dvaceti minutách mi došlo, že jsem právě na zkoušce. On se ptal, já odpovídal. O půl hodiny později přišel Sven Nykvist, kameraman, a řekl, že Ingmar je připraven. On na to: Tak jdeme pracovat, pojď! A já šel s ním. Na místě jsem se ho omluvil a zeptal se, kde mám stát. Bergman se na mě podíval a řekl: „To víš moc dobře!“ A nechal mě tam. Tak jsem stál za kamerou, kde jsem nikomu nepřekážel. Jakmile začal pracovat, viděl jsem, jak se chová k členům štábu, k hercům, a jak dokázal vyřešit všechny problémy a přitom udržet vynikající atmosféru. Nebyl to mrzout? Vůbec ne. O filmu Mefisto pronesl krásnou řeč, ze které švédský distributor filmu vybral dvě věty a použil je v reklamě. Bergman byl ke mně velmi milý. Na všech schůzkách jsem seděl vedle něj. Jednou mě pozval na večeři. Byla tam i jeho žena a pozval také svého oblíbeného herce Erlanda Josephsona. Zmínil se o mém filmu Důvěra. „Kde jste ho viděl?“ zeptal jsem se ho. „Tady ve Stockholmu, v kině na rohu,“ odpověděl. „Když promítají film někoho, koho znám, jdu se na něj podívat.“ Byl to otevřený a zvídavý člověk. Jak jste se cítil v Praze na vzpomínkové akci za Jirku Menzela? Z ceny jsem měl velkou radost, protože pro mě znamená, že i Jirkovi čeští přátelé uznávají naše přátelství. Vzali na vědomí, že Jirka měl dva maďarské přátele. Jánose Bána a mě. Ale takového filmového režiséra, kterého mohl bez obav oslovit, aby u něj mohl hrát, a kterého on sám pozval do svého filmu, je jen jeden. Byli jsme spolu jako dva blázniví, nezkrotní kluci. Z pozvání do Prahy jsem měl velkou radost, a i když jsem se fyzicky musel hodně dát dohromady, na akci jsem jel s velkou radostí. V osmdesáti letech se člověk už těžko pohybuje a navíc má všelijaké potíže. Sílu mi dodávalo, že na mě čekala Olga, jeho vdova, a Míla Řádová, Jirková dlouholetá asistentka a kamarádka. Strávil jsem krásný večer v příjemné společnosti v secesním velkém Fantově sále na Hlavním nádraží, kde nebylo těžké vzpomenout na film Ostře sledované vlaky. Dostal jsem také krásný odznáček na sako. Malou pozlacenou verzi razítka z filmu. Byla tam i herečka, která ve filmu ztvárnila Zdeničku, Jitka Zelenohorská, na jejíž zadečku bylo provedeno to slavné razítkování. Byl to nezapomenutelný večer. Ještě něco... V svém posledním filmu Závěrečná zpráva, ve kterém vzpomenete na Jiřího Menzela jednou z ikonických scén z Postřižin, lze číst z tváří všech herců. „Každému je třeba dát možnost vyjádřit se tak, aby bylo jasné, že je to velký herec a že se do filmu nedostal náhodou.“

"Zatím dvakrát" by Matěj Zahajský

Matěj Zahajský presented a new project from FAMU to the Jiří Menzel Foundation. It is a short student film called "So far twice". It is the directorial debut of screenwriter Dominika Ondrušková, who won the 15-minute script competition at the Department of Screenwriting and Dramaturgy at FAMU. "Zatím dvakrát" is a 15-minute film telling the story of a father and daughter in two timelines separated by approximately 18 years. In the past, when little Dorothy was about seven years old, their trip went wrong due to rainy weather and her dad's lack of preparedness and they had to return home. This time the weather is beautiful, but there is a communication barrier between Dad and the adult Dorothy, which they both try, albeit clumsily, to break down during their second attempt in years. Yet the film, despite its themes of aging and regrets about wasted time, offers hope. It's not too late to renew the relationship and create new memories, as reflected in the film's title, which points to a future that is yet to come for both of them.

The film version of Gustav Meyrink's Vypařený mozek

The themes of the students' work never cease to surprise. Rozálie Nyklíčková, a fourth year student at the FAMO school in Písek, introduced us to her project. They are currently working on an adaptation of Gustav Meyrink's short story Vypařený mozek. They have changed the story slightly - the story takes place in timelessness and in a world where all reasons for war have been exhausted and therefore the fight for intelligence is now on. The paradox, however, is that the general wants to fight for intelligence without intelligence and conscripts the unfinished body of a man without a brain.  The story is very timely, although the work itself was written in the mid-20th century. This story tells of the world in which a young German scientist, Hiram Witt, lives as he wages his personal battle to create a thinking human being, without the biological procedures of reproduction. Of course, Hiram, too, lives in a world where the whole world is waging a war for intelligence. This war is full of absurdity and senselessness, as all wars are, and the events in this story fundamentally underline this absurdity.

Krev není voda

The director Lukáš Vacula will graduate from FAMO in Písek. Together with Lucie Ptáčková they wrote the script for the graduation film Krev není voda, which is about two brothers who meet in a cottage in the mountains in the afterlife. Lukáš Vacula decided to make this film for people who have family disputes. He believes that strong family and especially sibling bonds are the very essence of human beings, in short, sibling love is irreplaceable. "Blood is not water" is a psychological drama with mysterious elements that set in an isolated mountain cabin. The themes of guilt, punishment and endless cycle of fate materialize in the relationship of two brothers who, in the afterlife world trying to come to terms with their past actions". The film was finished shooting a few days ago, so we've got some working images from the set. We'll be able to review the finished work in July.

Ticho mezi námi

Ticho mezi námi is a short film about the rebuilding of a sisterly bond that has been broken by time, distance and unspoken wrongs.The main theme of the film is therefore the rebuilding of a sisterly relationship. Another theme is also the reconciliation with her mother's death and the contradictory emotions that Hanka experiences because of her estrangement from her mother, with whom she was unable to reconcile before her death.The project has ambitions to be successful at film shows and festivals.With its themes of sisterhood and the loss of a loved one, it has the potential toto appeal to a wide audience. The film should also have its own specificvisual style and narrative style that make it unique.The project was introduced by Natálie Štychová, who has tried various professions in the field of film, having been a director, screenwriter, cinematographer, actress and producer.  We will hope that her guess at the ambition of Silence Among Us is justified. 

We also support "Příběh horníka" movie

In a few days, the crew will be on the set to shoot a film by students of the Film Academy of Miroslav Ondříček in Písek. The graduate film, entitled Příběh horníka, deals with the themes of guilt and forgiveness after a tragic event in a mine. The director of the film is a third year student Jakub Krajský. The story is set in an unspecified time in the twenty-first century and follows a young miner, Peter, who accidentally causes an accident in a mine. Among the injured are himself and his colleague and friend Viktor. Viktor ends up in a coma, crippled, with his body and face wrapped in bandages. From this moment on, Peter is haunted by an unrelenting sense of guilt, which begins to reflect in strange visions and terrifying phantoms that accompany him at every turn. At the end of the film, Peter comes to forgive himself, comes to terms with his fate, and dies peacefully, free of guilt and suffering. We won't divulge the director's explication of this film, except to mention that it is one that audiences can enjoy. Especially those who tend towards mystery, psychological dramas. I have to be able to handle this subject matter as well. For the production, Aneta Vojáčková, who came to sign the contract at the Orient café, asked for a contribution from the Jiří Menzel Foundation. It was a nice meeting with other students who applied for financial help.

"Za cílem" of Adam Barbora has great potential

Director Adam Barbora's bachelor film Za cílem depicts the theme of performance pressure and lack of parental approval and, above all, shows how a deep desire for a close relationship with a parent can bring a person to the brink of a mental and physical breakdown. David is desperate for his father's approval, which he sees as a substitute for the lack of a relationship. When he injures his knee through overuse, he is unable to continue training with his father, leaving David's place to be taken by Jakub, his best friend and sporting rival. At the start of the race, something unexpected happens. David changes his mind and leaves. He leaves athletics with his father behind. A gesture symbolizing a conscious desire to preserve himself even at the cost of giving up his father. In his explication, the film's producer Tobias Timothy Frydl mainly emphasized the plans for the finished film, especially in terms of distribution and promotion. He will focus on the festival circuit, both national and international. And there are plans for special screenings, which will be accompanied by debates with experts from various fields - psychology, sociology, art - to help spark a social discussion about the issues the film addresses. Due to the universality of the subject matter, the film is comprehensible and relevant to audiences outside the Czech environment.

We support Vlčí klucy movie

Congratulations from the Jiří Menzel Foundation for finishing the film.  The producer Zuzana Kořánková came to thank us for the contribution and also informed us that they have just finished shooting a sophomore film by director Jan Jansy called Wolf's Claws.  The same team made their freshman film LEGÁČEK. Legáček won the Aramis Award at FAMUFEST and its trailer has been seen by almost 30 thousand people on Instagram (@legacek.film). Wolf Cubs is a supernatural story about a boy named Kryspin who undergoes a ritual of transformation into a werewolf. On the set, actors such as Jan Nedbal, Jiří Chadraba, Tom Sean Pšenička and Andrea Bereck Uhlíková, among others. The film was shot on 5 locations, three of which the crew spent three days in a maringot village without access to electricity. The night shooting in Ústí nad Labem or scenes at the Matějská pilgrimage were also a challenge.  It all sounds thrilling. We, as viewers, have to wait for a while before the director Jansa to present his work. Let's hope that Wolf Boys will bring him many more awards and, most importantly, the appreciation of the audience.

Significant day of the Jiří Menzel Foundation

9 April 2025 was a significant day for the Jiří Menzel Foundation. A ‘Closely Watched Evening’ was planned in the Fanta Hall in the main station building.  Due to the venue of the evening and the historical connection of Mrs Olga Menzel with the Farewell Memorial in the foyer of the Central Station, a commemoration was held in the afternoon with the last surviving Winton children, Mrs Zuzana Mares and Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines. Bouquets were laid there by the Minister of Transport, Mgr. Martin Kupka, Jiří Svoboda, Director General of the Railway Administration, a state enterprise, Deputy Ambassador of Great Britain Kate Davenport, Director of the Dr. Pírka Clinic Stanislav Najman and others. Afterwards, the guests went to the hall where two awards were presented during the Jiří Menzel Foundation evening. The crystal Arnostek from the Pačinek Glass workshop was presented to the Oscar-winning director István Szabó by Olga Menzelová, and the second was awarded to the singer and actor Václav Neckář. At the same time, Jiří Menzel's long-time collaborator Míla Řádová was awarded a crystal cast of J. Menzel's hand. The evening's programme was complemented by a musical performance by Lubomír Brabec and then Sara Milfajtová. An important part of the evening was the auction of works of art. The proceeds of CZK 1,168,000 will enable us to continue to support older artists in the event of their social difficulties due to health complications, as well as young artists in the creation of their films. We would like to thank all sponsors of this event: ALO diamonds, ČSOB, ČEPS, Správa železnic, Ministerstvo dopravy, Foyer Café, Château Escot, Original Turnov, Pačinek Glass, MCU media, Newman+ friends, Kofola Československo, AstronPrint, AlmanacX (Alcron Prague), Medialogue. We would also like to thank all the donors of the auctioned art objects and all those who auctioned these items.

Satin Hands by Šimon Kucka

Jan Čadek (pictured) plans to make his debut as a producer with "Satin Hands" by screenwriter and director Šimon Kucka. Šimon is studying at the Department of Screenwriting and Dramaturgy, where this script was among the winners in an internal competition. This competition is significant in that it gives students of the department the opportunity to realise their script as practically the only original work during their studies. It is an essential step to help young male and female screenwriters with directorial ambitions to step into the creative industry and present their own work. The director's comment is interesting. "I've always been intensely interested in people who, despite their best efforts, fail to fit into society: people without money, power, influence.  I root for such characters and hope that whatever they try, they succeed. The script of "Satin Hands" deals with the question: But what if a person from the margins of society doesn't have to climb the social ladder? Don't we need to validate who we are through the approval of those around us and those closest to us?  Perhaps the director will answer these questions. It will start filming at the end of April and we can also look forward to the Czech Lion winner Simona Lewandovská, who will play the lead role.

A visit that doesn't go astray

Nela Frauenbergová, a film production student at FAMU, came to Jiří Menzel's apartment to get the signed contract, where she met Olga Menzelová in his library.  She introduced us to the content of the film, which they are preparing to shoot in the second half of May.  The film "The Visit That Doesn't Wander" follows the meeting of two former army colleagues, Michal and Hynek, who after a nervous breakdown find themselves in the psychiatric ward of a military hospital. Their conversations between the lines reveal feelings of guilt, insecurity and a friendship that persists even in moments of personal failure. The film focuses on the theme of the inability to communicate in moments when we are most vulnerable, while also bearing the weight of mental illness and problems. As you can see, the students are not shying away from more serious topics and we are happy to support them in their endeavors, at least a little. 

We are looking forward to Píchlé duše

A smile on my face and a contract with the Jiří Menzel Foundation in my hands. It promises a financial contribution to the film.  Sára Vojtová is a student of production at the Film Academy of Miroslav Ondříček in Písek. She is currently preparing her graduation master's film "Píchlé duše" with her classmates. The film is about a man with multiple sclerosis taking a trip to Switzerland with his son. The script was written by Stefan Lambert. The young filmmaker wonders if father and son will find their way back together before it's too late. Father Victor, suffering from multiple sclerosis, decides to undergo assisted suicide in Switzerland, while son Sam cannot come to terms with his choice. The film will be completed by June 4, 2025 and we look forward to its screening in the fall.

We support The Prince Without a Kingdom

A prince without a kingdom will not be a cute fairy tale. Producer Lara Stoilova revealed the content of the bachelor film at a meeting with NFJM Executive Director Radka Martiníková. She is developing the film with director Viktoria Novotna and cinematographer Maria Smutna. The film is about family themes such as the loss of home, fear of the family past and finding new relationships. Despite being a psychological drama, the film also works with a horror genre overlap. It is the horror elements that help create an intense setting and atmosphere for the characters' behaviour. After a tragic separation from his drug-addicted mother, little Konrad is entrusted to the care of an unknown woman - Aunt Hannah, who carries her own pain. He escapes from the cold surroundings of the house to an abandoned shed, where he uncovers an ancient evil that promises escape at a terrible price. Konrad must face the darkness and save not only himself but also Hannah in a story of family trauma and the battle against evil. The filmmakers believe the genre is now on the rise, and for that reason they would like to try working with it. With its connection to the family theme, which is transferable to a foreign audience, they think the film would succeed not only at domestic festivals. The Jiří Menzel Foundation will contribute to the making of this film and we will all keep our fingers crossed that the vision comes true.

We support Velký Darius movie

Another contribution from the Jiří Menzel Foundation goes to Zlín. The contract was signed on behalf of the team by producer Sara Stoklasová. It is a graduation film THE BIG DARIUS. The film will be made at the Film School in Zlín. Eighteen-year-old Darius dreams of escaping the bleak reality of the housing estate, where he takes care of his younger brother and faces his addicted mother. When he gets the chance to start a new life, he discovers that freedom has its price. His greatest dilemma becomes not the escape itself, but who he leaves behind. Genre – social drama Themes – family relationships, selfishness, poverty Running time – 20 min Director, screenplay – Ruadhán Ó'Súilleabháin Director of photography - Kryštof Kadeřábek Production – Sára Stoklasová Editing – Filip Kratochvíla Sound – Šimon Tomášik Gaffer – Jakub Sitte

NFJM supports Attention Whore

Another graduate film called Attention Whores by director Alice Bednárikova is being prepared at FAMU. The film explores themes of adolescence, abuse of power, the dynamics between students and teachers, and the emotional impact of crossing ethical boundaries in a school setting. The aim is to create a visually appealing and substantively urgent work that will appeal to a wide audience and stimulate the necessary discussion. We at the Jiří Menzel Foundation reviewed the theme and the grant application and the project received our support. The contract for the grant was signed by producer Valeria Borkovcová, who told us about their ambitions for the project. We can only keep our fingers crossed and look forward to the premiere.   

The film "What Lies in the Dark" is among the projects supported by the NFJM

In the folders of the Jiří Menzel Foundation, held by Kateřina Špálová, is a new contract for a financial contribution to the graduate film. The film "What Hides in the Dark", directed by Viola Bláhová, is being made at FAMU. This project combines live-action film with cartoon animation to create a unique visual experience. The story of eight-year-old Victor focuses on overcoming fear and finding courage, while the technical treatment benefits from the innovative use of animation to capture fantastical elements such as magical fog. We can only add that Kateřina Špálová will certainly prove to be a great producer in the future. Her meticulous preparation of the documents for the grant application was second to none. Fingers crossed for everyone in the team.  

Danica Hrvatska state award to director Menzel

On 24 January, a festive and very friendly meeting was held at the Václav Havel Library. During the evening, H.E. Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Prague, presented Mrs. Olga Menzel with a state decoration awarded to Jiří Menzel in memoriam by the President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović. The Order of Danica Hrvatska with the figure of Marko Marulić was awarded for outstanding merit and contribution. This award was proposed by the Czech-Croatian Society, a branch of the Croatian Matrix in Prague.  Jiří Menzel loved Croatia, often visited there and even directed plays and two documentary films there. The guests of the evening reminisced about all this and watched one of the films "Your Sea, Our Sea". Olga Menzel gave a speech in Croatian, the ambassador in Czech. The presence of the actors Jaroslav Satoranský and Pavel Nový, many mutual friends, and also ambassadors who met Jiří during their embassies, but their relations grew into friendly ones, was a pleasure. We believe that Mr. Menzel would have enjoyed the cordial and friendly atmosphere of the evening and the award.   

Premiere of the film Anticipation

At the end of October, on behalf of the NFJM, we provided a financial contribution to the film ANTICIPATION by director Matouš Cardal.On 18 January, the film premiered at the Citadel Studio in Klimentská Street, where the producer Tereza Sokolová invited Radka Martiníková and Míla Řádová on behalf of the Fund. In his opening speech, the director stressed that it is important to behave politely towards each other and to think about how our behaviour can affect the other.  Matouš Cardal is a passionate screenwriter and director. He is still studying but has already made a documentary and three short films. He knows how to choose his actors, in this case he had Šimon Fikar (Children of Nagano), Ondřej Stupka (The Waves), Nikola Kylarová, not to mention Jamie Sparker who played the stranger. He has several films and awards under his belt. The performances of the actors and the whole crew were applauded by the full hall.   Congratulations. 

NFJM supports FULL FRAME movie

In the folders, young director Jáchym Sedlák holds a contract for a contribution from the Jiří Menzel Foundation for his second film "FULL FRAME".  He described his project to NFJM representatives Radka Martiníková and Míla Řádová in the words: "The film is told using split-screen, where most of the time we watch the photographer Max on the left side and what his camera sees on the other. By using two different images we can tell the story in an unusual and catchy way. To show what would be left unshown in most films. "We'll have to wait for more details, but we're sure we'll be pleased with this year's premiere. We'll let you know.

Looking forward to the graduate project TENKRÁT V ARGENTINĚ

NFJM once again financially supported a student film project. It is a master's graduate film TENKRÁT V ARGENTINĚ, to be directed by Matěj František Preisler. We met at the signing of the contract. The young director introduced us to the subject. The film will deal with the theme of the existence of universal evil, personified in the characters of two dictators of the 20th century.  The authors want to show that this evil is immortal, it can reappear at any time and it is therefore important to beware of its return. You can find out more at https://tenkratvargentine.cz/. And we at the Jiří Menzel Foundation look forward to this year's premiere. We'll be sure to let you know how it turns out.

We supported the film "Disposable"

The students of the Miroslav Ondříček Film Academy in Písek are planning to shoot their graduation film, entitled "Disposable", in February 2025. The main themes of the film are loss of identity, superficiality and consumerism in postmodern society. They will try to express all these challenging themes through the aesthetics of the film, especially the set and costume design.The presentation of this project by director Ivanna Kravchuk and cinematographer Lukáš Skramlík convinced us of the potential of this documentary, and that is why we financially supported the film "Disposable". We wish the young filmmakers that their success will not be a one-off.  We have signed a contract between the Jiří Menzel Foundation and Anna Brázdilová (production).

The fifth project of young filmmakers

At today's meeting with the young director Štěpán Havlín, a contract was signed for financial assistance for the completion of the documentary DIPTYCH. Štěpán approached the Jiří Menzel Foundation with a request for a contribution. He is preparing a film double portrait of painter Květa Monhartová and sculptor Miroslava Nová. We were intrigued by the topic and so we accepted.  The signing took place symbolically in the restaurant 500 Na Valech. It was Jiří Menzel's favourite restaurant and he was a frequent guest there, as he lived in the same house. So hopefully this will bring good luck to the young creators. Fingers crossed!

Screenwriter and director Matouš Cardal is about to make a new movie Anticipation

The Jiří Menzel Endowment Found has contributed to the emergence of another student short film. The script for Anticipation was written by Matouš Cardal, who will also direct the movie. Tereza Sokolová is in charge of making sure that everything is in place for the shooting. It will start in a few days and we will have the opportunity to see the new work at the end of January 2025. Matouš Cardal and Tereza Sokolová are walking away with a blue folder containing a signed contract about our financial contribution. We believe we have just sponsored an exciting project.

We support a student film

The Jiří Menzel Endowment Found supports not only older artists whose health complications make it impossible for them to pursue their original careers, but it also supports the younger generation in their creative endeavors. We have just provided financial assistance to a group of film school students who are planning to make a short film set in television setting called An Intermittent Signal. The central themes are archiving, digitalization, working with old and new media, the conflict between generations, and coming to terms with the reality of everyday life. As Kamila Mysíková informed us, they plan to present the completed product at domestic festivals such as Mladá kamera (Young Camera) or České vize (Czech Imagination), at which their most recent film Your Train Will Be Delayed was also awarded. The young filmmakers hope that this movie could eventually help them to advance into their full-blown professional careers. We keep our fingers crossed for them! The photo was taken during the signing of the contract for the production of An Intermittent Signal between the Jiří Menzel Endowment Found represented by Míla Řádová, and the young filmmaker Kamila Mysíková.

We also support Jitka Zelenohorská

Time is flying by and it's taking its toll on everyone's health. Even the movie stars. We just remembered Jitka Zelenohorská, the star of the seventies. She appeared in many films, but the public will probably remember her best from Jiří Menzel's Closely Watched Trains, Larks on a String, and Crime in the Music Hall. This actress was always open to various cultural events and was happy to participate. She would go with a film delegation to Lodenice to celebrate the anniversary of Closely Watched Trains, or to events of the Jiří Menzel Foundation. She has not been on location for several years now. Health permitting, she attends events. But she needs assistance, especially with her walking. That's why we decided that she should receive some symbolic financial help from the Jiri Menzel Endowment Found to pay for her physical therapy. We are delighted that we can help.

A flower for Karel Heřmánek

Today, on September 7, a farewell to Karel Heřmánek will take place at the Bez Zábradlí Theater. Jiří Menzel maintained a long-standing relationship with him personally and with the Bez Zábradlí Theatre. He had directed five plays there, two of which are still being performed today: "Dinner for Schmucks", which has already had over 920 runs and is still in the repertoire, and "Where Were You Last Night”. In 2022, the Bez Zábradlí Theatre in cooperation with the Jiří Menzel Endowment Found organised a festival dedicated to the honor of the important Czech movie maker and theatre director Jiří Menzel. The plays he directed were presented there and his award winning movies were also screened. A few days ago, we learned that Karel Heřmánek, a Czech acting legend and the spirit of the theatre had gone to the artistic heaven. On behalf of the Jiří Menzel Endowment Found, we send flowers and remembrances. Hopefully, Jiří and Karel will have some good times up there and come up with new projects for the local audience. We keep our fingers crossed for the Bez Zábradlí Theatre to continue to thrive in the years to come and to eventually come to terms with the loss of its founder. We are confident that the family will also keep the fond memories and will have enough strength to continue Karel Heřmánek's work.

Jiří Menzel's 4^th death anniversary

Jiří Menzel passed away four years ago, but his work and legacy remain. The Jiří Menzel Endowment Found is still in operation. The family and friends remember. The memorial sites have been redecorated. This time, the Bubeníčková Floral Studio produced decorations for both the house and the grave at Vyšehrad Cemetery. It is thematically connected with his film Closely Watched Trains. We hope that on this occasion, you will also remember Jiří Menzel. Here's just a snippet of his wife Olga's touching remembrance: ".... When I look at our last photos together... You can see nothing but love in them. Love without conditions. What will we have left at the end of our lives and what is really important? It's not the potential belongings and valuables, but the closest loved ones who hug us, hold our hand, and don't ever leave us alone. To be there for the other person when he or she needs us. That which is real and true, through which you recognize where you stand in life. The closeness and the presence of your loved ones who either are or not.We were darn lucky to have found each other in life. That's what you've always used to say. Thank you, my dear Jiří, and see you again someday."

Meeting in July in Kunratice u Cvikova

Come to the Crystal Temple on July 6 at 2 pm, where the exhibition The Capricious Journeys of Jiří Menzel is in full swing, as well as an exhibition by local glassmaker Jiří Pačinek. If you are interested in seeing for yourself how glass is transformed into various objects in his hands, he will welcome you to his glassworks. The exhibition will be open to the public until September 1, 2024. More photos are available for viewing HERE.

Jiří on the road

Visit the Crystal Church in Kunratice by Cvikov beginning on 25 May and admire the art and craft of the local glassmakers. As a bonus, you will have the opportunity to see the interior exhibition Capricious Journeys, which chronicles the life and work of Jiří Menzel. The exhibition will be open to the general public until September 1, 2024. The opening ceremony will take place on May 25, 2024 at 3 pm and everyone is most welcome.  Photo gallery HERE.  

A Caprisious evening

A social evening in the Troja Castle complex brought together not only legends of Czech and foreign movie industry, but also the contemporary music and fine arts elite.The Slováčeks, father and son, and violinist Pavel Šporcl played and sang during the evening. In the charity auction, to which artists such as Jiří Anderle, Stanislav Kolíbal, Martin Krajc, Magdalena Jetelová, Siegfried Herz, Pačinek Glassworks and others donated their artworks, we raised an incredible CZK 1.8 million. The evening was hosted by the renowned presenter Marek Eben.For the support of this evening, we would like to thank the City of Prague and especially the Mayor of Prague, who took over the auspices of the entire evening, our long-time partners ČSOB and ČEPS, the STOPKA kitchen studio, the Kofola Company, the Kodl Gallery, which ran the entire auction, as well as the U Malířů Restaurant and the Almanac Hotel, which provided accommodation for our international guests. More photos are available HERE.

Capricious Journeys in Nymburk

A guided tour opened an exhibition about the life and work of director Jiří Menzel. Seventeen panels in the Pod Hradbami Park were not only illustrating the process of making movies and Jiří’s work as a director. Olga Menzelová remembered her husband and appreciated the location of the exhibition with the city walls in the background. The photographs on display were complemented by a personal tribute to Jiří by his long-time collaborator Míla Řádová. Among the guests was actress Jitka Zelenohorská (Closely Watched Trains, Larks on a Thread). The distinguished visitor was welcomed on behalf of the town by the Vice-Mayor Stanislava Tichá. The event was attended by the city and the Polabské Museum representatives respectively including the Muzeum’s director Jan Vinduška. The event was hosted by the Central Bohemian Region. The Capricious Journeys of Jiří Menzel exhibition was held in Nymburk from May 19 to June 13, 2023.

Birthday

On February 23, 2024, Jiří Menzel would have celebrated his 86th birthday. Many thanks go to the Bubeníčková Floral Studio for her beautiful floral arrangements!

A handcar from Closely Watched Trains at Prague's Main Train Station

In December 2022, a handcar from Jiří Menzel's Oscar-winning movie Ostře sledované vlaky (Closely Watched Trains) was unveiled at Prague's Main Train Station to commemorate the celebrated director's 85th birthday. The ceremony was attended by Olga Menzelová, Minister of Transportation Martin Kupka, the General Director of the Railway Management Jiří Svoboda, and the Executive Manager of the National Technical Museum Karel Ksandr. 

Evenings on HAMU

On May 12 and 13, 2023, we had the opportunity to witness two evenings on the premises of the HAMU (Prague Academy of Performing Arts), where important actors got together and had the opportunity to see an exhibition of Jiří Menzel's life and work called "Capricious Journeys". The evening also featured an auction of several items donated by Jiří's friends. We would like to thank everyone for the extraordinary atmosphere in a lovely setting. More photos HERE.

So, Jiří is finally at Vyšehrad Cemetery

In October 2022, the laying of the urn in Jiří Menzel's gravesite took place at Vyšehrad Cemetery. No journalists were invited, as we only shared this information with the public through a message on Facebook. Jiří Menzel thus already has his final home address. Today, an extraordinary tombstone was unveiled at Vyšehrad Cemetery, designed by David Vávra, sculptor Petr Váňa, and prodiced by stonemason and restorer Tomáš Váňa. The inlay of marble-lettering was done by David Beneš and a professional assistance was provided by Ondřej Šefců. Jiří’s image was created in the likeness of Arnostek, the character he played in The Capricious Summer. The glass filling set in white marble from the island of Brač changes its colours depending on the angle of viewing and also on whether the sun is shining or not. Josef Petrásek and Petr Krumphanzl played Jiří Suchý's song "Goodbye", Petra Hobzová remembered important moments from Jiří Menzel's life, David Vávra recited his poem "In Arnoštek's Footsteps", and Olga Menzelová unveiled Jiří Menzel's tombstone following her own short remarks. The meeting of family, friends, and colleagues was held without the media, without tears, and in the form of a happening, just as Jiří would have liked it. You could feel the sense of mutual connection among those present, because they all had loved him and still do. We couldn't invite everyone Jiří had ever known. But nothing prevents you from visiting Vyšehrad Cemetery when you are around. You can't miss the tombstone. It shines on the entire area the way Jiří had done in his lifetime.

Jiří Menzel Festival at the Bez Zábradlí Theater

The Jiří Menzel Festival at the Bez Zábradlí Theater took place from April 23 to April 28, 2022. The festival included an opening gala night attended by 300 guests, close colleagues, and friends. From abroad, the much loved actor János Bán (Vesničko má středisková / My Sweet Little Village) also arrived. The evening featured an auction of Jiří Menzel's memorabilia. The proceeds from the auction went to the Jiří Menzel Endowment Found. An indoor exhibition, The Capricious Journeys of Jiri Menzel, was housed in the theatre, The show closed on June 27, 2022. Screenings of Jiri Menzel films were held on subsequent days of the festival, featuring actors from his movies and commentaries by film historian Jan Lukeš. A prominent part of the festival involved four theatrical performances originally directed by Jiří Menzel at the Bez Zábradlí Theater. Photos from the event are available HERE.