Pisek
Estimated to have been built in the 13th century and the oldest of its kind in the country, this Pisek landmark is known throughout the Czech Republic.
What is the stone bridge?
(It is also one of the rarest medieval bridges in Central Europe)
Started in the 1960s by a group of young film students, this became one of the most recognized European film movements along with French New Wave and Italian Neorealism.
What is the Czech New Wave?
(All of the students went to FAMU, where the majority of FAMO faculty teach as well).
This is a Czech phrase used on set to let the cast and crew know the shooting is starting.
What is akce?
The Czech Republic houses the most of these in all of Europe with the most famous in Hluboká, Orlík, Lednice, and Karlštej.
What are castles?
(The Czech Republic has over 2000 castles and chateauxs, many of them just a short bus ride from Pisek).
Started with Paula Murphy's "Psychoanalysis and Film Theory Part 1: ‘A New Kind of Mirror’", this theory focuses on the ideological connection between the technology that creates the images, the technology used to view the images, and the impact it has on the viewers' perception of the created reality.
What is Apparatus film theory?
(This theory is most associated with cinematography including framing, composition, and movement.)
It's the Celtic name of the river which flows through the middle of the town and stretches from to Jelenov to Zvikov.
(Also known as the Gold River)
He was the director of Czech films such as Black Peter, The Fireman's Ball, and Loves of a Blonde, before moving to America and directing films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Hair, Amadeus, The People vs. Larry Flynt, and Man on the Moon.
Who is Milos Forman?
(He worked with FAMO's namesake on Loves of a Blonde, Fireman's Ball, Amadeus, Hair, and Ragtime)
This is a phrase you would use to say gratitude for one of the Czech filmmakers spending time to mentor and work alongside you.
What is děkuji?
(With fellow students, it can be shortened to DK).
Founded in 1348, this academic institution in Prague is the oldest university in Central Europe.
What is Charles University?
(Ranked among the top 2% universities in the world)
Popularized by Cahiers du Cinema, this theory claims a filmmaker has a particular and specific style that is identifiable, unique, influential, and sets them apart from other filmmakers.
What is the Auteur Theory?
(This is not without its criticism due to the "cherry-picking" of films, lack of knowledge about influences of other filmmakers and industry entities, etc.)
This is the name of the Czech cinematographer who was the inspiration for the film school in Pisek.
Who is Miroslav Ondříček?
(Twice nominated for Academy Awards and won one Bafta for Amadeus)
Czech filmmaker, Věra Chytilová, directed this avant-garde film that was banned in Czechoslovakia not due to its portrayal of the Czech people, but for its portrayal of food waste.
What is Daisies?
(The film was criticized for its unsympathetic characters and its lack of a coherent and linear narrative, but it quickly became one of the most inspirational and often cited films of the movement).
Used when letting someone know you can only say and understand a few Czech words.
What is mluvim trochu cesky?
(I understand is "rozumim", "I don't understand is nerozumim").
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca1o1u1-q8o&ab_channel=CoffeeBreakLanguages
Taking place on November 17, 1989, this is the name of the massive non-violent student protest in Prague signaled the transition of power of the Soviets back to the people of Czechoslovakia which occurred on December 29, 1989.
What is the Velvet Revolution?
(The march was held on the 50th anniversary of when the Nazis took over Prague University, arresting 1,200 students and killing 9. The Velvet Revolution march had an estimated 50,000 protestors).
This theory is, arguably, the most psychologically oriented of the film theories and proposes the idea that viewers interpret messages in a film's construction and narrative differently because of their prior knowledge and experiences.
What is the Cognitive Film Theory?
(Meaning is constructed to the individual viewer, largely associated with aesthetics and mise-en-scene)
Built by King Ottokar II in the 13th century, this building now houses the Prácheň Museum, home to an extensive collection of artifacts of Pisek and the surrounding region.
What is Pisek Castle?
(Museum includes an intact jousting room, geological artifacts, and modern artifacts from WWII and the Soviet era)
What is Jan?
(Jan Kříženecký, director of Receptionist at the Mill [1898] and Jan Svěrák, director of Kolya [winner of an Academy Award])
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in3KxidxNwU&ab_channel=N%C3%A1rodn%C3%ADfilmov%C3%BDarchiv
This is a phrase you would say if you need directions or you are having difficulty finding something in the grocery store.
What is můžeš mi pomoci?
This Prague-born Czech literary figure is one of the most recognized writers of novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays and was a Holocaust survivor having been sent to three concentration camps.
Who is Arnošt Lustig?
(Pepi's father! He wrote the screenplay for Diamonds of the Night, which was based upon his novella by the same name. There is a plaque devoted to him in Prague).
What is Feminist Film Theory?
(Often, this theory looks for underlying messages and inferences that work to support or oppose prominent gender stereotypes and roles).
Of the six sacral buildings in Pisek, built in 1240, this is the most recognized as its bell tower and western facade became a symbol for the town of Pisek.
What is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
(This is a Roman Catholic basilica's 243 ft tower that gives a panoramic view of the top of Pisek where you can see all the way to Germany!)
This famous studio is one of the oldest working film studios in the world and founded by the Havel brothers in 1921, it also houses one of the largest collections of vintage costumes in the world.
What is Barrandov Studios?
(Milos and Vaclav Maria Havel were brothers who began in film distribution before making a film studio due to the emergence of sound and the needs for proper soundstages. Also, you will be getting an elite tour of this during our time in Prague!)
This is a phrase that may come in handy if you have spent too much relaxing time at the beer garden.
What is Kde je toaleta?
(kdeh yeh toh-ah-le-ta)
(You can also ask for the WC)
Ranked the seventh safest country in the world with over 535,000 expats, the Czech Republic prides itself in also boasting a 90% rate of this of the adult population, one of the highest per-capita rates in the world.
What is education?
(The Czechs take great pride in their education. Remember, education is not a privilege, but a right in the Czech Republic. They take education very seriously).
This film theory, named after a prominent German philosopher, economist, political theorist, sociologist, journalist, and socialist, focuses on the production of a film including who makes the films, why they make the films, and who controls the messages.
What is Marxist Film Theory?
(Maintains ideology and class structure is maintained and perpetuated through film).