When most film buffs hear the term "New Wave", they probably think about Godard, Truffaut, Rohmer, Rivette, and Chabrol. However in the mid to late 1960's, just a few years after their counterparts in France, another film movement emerged, led by names such as Miloš Forman, Věra Chytilová, Jiří Menzel, Jan Němec, Jaromil Jireš, Juraj Herz, Juraj Jakubisko, Štefan Uher, among others. This group of Czech and Slovak directors combined to produce a new genre of film internationally known as
The Czechoslovak New Wave.
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| Loves of a Blonde (1965), Milos Forman |
Although most of these filmmakers were already experienced directors, something special happened in the period between 1964 and 1965 where they all combined to produce an amazing catalog of work of unprecedented success on the international stage. Including four straight Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Film, which resulted in two wins, the first in 1965 for
The Shop on Main Street and the second in 1967 for
Closely Watched Trains.
This New Wave was characterized by its innovative use of unconventional free-form narrative techniques, often using dark and absurd humour; the casting of non-professional actors, and clever critical political messages. This was all made possible by the relaxation and liberalization of the political climate of the time. Unfortunately this movement was rather short lived, coming to an end soon
after the Soviet led invasion of Czechoslovakia in late 1968.
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| Intimate Lighting (1965), Ivan Passer |
However, the result of this brief social and artistic awakening has left us with some of the best examples of cinema not only limited to Eastern Europe, but of the entire world. Although less celebrated than their French counterparts, the films of the Czechoslovak New Wave stand up just as magnificently and leave behind a legacy of remarkable quality and influence that is still relevant today. It is also responsible for the beginnings of master director Milos Forman, who would later win the Best Director Oscar twice for his American films
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and
Amadeus.
The most wonderful aspect I have observed so far from the films of the Czech New Wave, is the often witty and humorous yet genuine way in which the characters, the stories, and everyday life is presented. There is a tendency to focus on the little ironies of life that are timeless and universal, giving us the opportunity to reflect not only on these profoundly touching stories, but also on our own lives.
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| Coach to Vienna (1966), Karel Kachyňa |
Join me over the next few months, in my ever ongoing quest for the hidden gems of cinema, as I watch and review as many of the incredible films from this era as possible. Afterwards, I will also be showcasing some of the later and current works from the countries now known as The Czech Republic and Slovakia.
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| The Shop on Main Street (1965), Ján Kadár & Elmar Klos |
The end of another month means it's time for some random musings. Why does it seem like I just did one of these last week?
