Movie buffs and film fanatics rejoice, as cinematic entertainment dominates Prague’s best events this week.
Beginning Thursday, 16 April, the European Film Festival opens across the Czech Republic. With 35 films from countries as far flung across the continent as Estonia and Spain, the festival promises to be a “genuine aesthetic and cultural experience,” according to Pavel Bém, the mayor of Prague in an open letter included in the festival’s program.
For 16 days, screening of the various movies, documentaries and short films will takeover the silver screens of cinemas in Prague, Brno, and Olomouc. Most of the films are subtitled in English, and some films also have Czech subtitles. In Prague, tickets for all of the films cost CZK 90 and begin at various times during the week.
One movie that’s definitely worth a visit to the theater is The Northern Land, a Portuguese film about the passions and histories of women across centuries and generations. As one of the opening films for the festival, be sure to arrive early to catch the flick, playing at Lucerna this Thursday at 8:30pm.
Also playing at Lucerna on Friday at 9:00pm is the German film Nothing but Ghosts. Based on international bestsellers Nothing But Ghosts and The Summer House, Later by Judith Hermann, the movie encompasses five tales of love, dreams and identity of Generation X.
For a little more light-hearted fun, check out the Danish flick Love is All. The romantic comedy follows the mixed-up tales of love and growth. The movie will screen at the Světozor cinema on Sunday at 9:00pm.
If your Saturday nights have been a little dull, bust out the toast and dress in your lingerie finery for the festival’s special event, Kaberet Caligula complete with a screening of the ultimate cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Beginning at 11:00pm kino Světozor, improvisers Radio Ivo present You Will Not Duly Appreciate Life, a radio play. Following the Radio Ivo show, the Kabaret Caligula will perform a new revue drawing inspiration from the pulp film genre. Rounding out the program will be the 12:30am screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Kabaret costs only 100 crowns and includes free soft drinks.
And the European Film Festival is more than just film screenings. On Friday, 17 April, Pavel Jech, Dean of FAMU will moderate a free seminar entitled Screenplay Writing and the Development Process in Central Europe, which will explore the very foundation of films: the screenplay, and the difficulties associated with creating them. Featured guest Milena Jelinek of Columbia University joins others from various film schools in Slovakia, Romania and Poland to discuss and explore these issues.
But the movies of the European Film Festival aren’t the only shows worth seeing. The movie Defiance opens in theaters this week, starring Daniel Craig of James Bond fame. Defiance chronicles the story of a group of determined Polish Jews fighting for survival in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe.
Also premiering this week is Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino. The critically acclaimed films follows a decaying old man as he reckons with religion, race, violence, and his past in the last month of his life. Riveting with gritty dialogue, Gran Torino is definitely worth a trip to the cinemas.
Although movies dominate the entertainment events this week, there is plenty more to see and do in Prague in the next few days. On Sunday 26 April, the world premiere of Voices of Terezín begins with two performances at Divadlo Inspirace, one at 2:00pm and a second at 8:00pm. Co-produced by the Prague Playhouse, the Prague’s Academy of Performing Arts, Spitfire Company and the American University, the English-language performances delve into the life in the Terezín concentration camp, located in the Czech Republic. Seating is limited so reserve seats as soon as possible.
If you’re in the mood for some live music, check out the Defunkt concert at the Palác Akropolis next Monday at 7:30pm. The avant-garde group merges punk and funk for a truly unique sound. Formed in New York City in 1978, the band has shared the stage with such musical institutions as The Clash, the Talking Heads and James Brown. Tickets range from CZK 380 to CZK 435.
For something more low key, head to Galerie Školská 28 to view the Reunion of Strangers photography exhibit. Open until April 24, the exhibition contains the work of Pavel Matela which focus on images of people taken in various cities around England. Gallery hours are Tuesdays from 1:00pm until 7:00pm, and Wednesday through Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
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