Czech film was born in the summer of 1898 on the Prague Exhibition Grounds during the exhibition of architecture and engineering. Here, in one of the pavilions aptly called “Czech Cinematograph”, various short films and journals were screened daily from 3 p.m. (from 10 a.m. on weekends and holidays). Thanks to Jan Kříženecký, Czech cinema is now the sixth oldest in the world. During its 120-year-long existence it went through many rises and falls but it was always lucky in having exceptional filmmakers. Twelve of them will be commemorated by twelve films, some of them being very characteristic of their authors, other almost forgotten. Our aim is to give you the broadest possible scope of themes, genres and interpretations that have formed Czech cinematography since its silent era up to these days.
