Retrospective of films by Břetislav Pojar and Vladimír Jiránek
Břetislav Pojar / Czechoslovakia
The Lion and the Song
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1959 | 17 min
A famous film story about the indestructibility and eternal nature of art. It is no mere coincidence that this topic is repeatedly found in Czech animation. Pojar’s story of a harlequin who is survived by his art was the first to develop this motif. The film was very successful internationally and is a masterpiece of both Czech and world animation.
One Glass Too Many
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1953 | 20 min
A film about a motorcyclist who could not resist having one more glass of liquor, drank too much and crashed. The film received the prize for Best Puppet Short Film in Cannes (1954), Honourable Mention in Edinburgh (1954) and the Journalists Board prize for best film in Oberhausen (1956).
They Met Near Kolín
Pojar Břetislav | Czechoslovakia | 1965 | 14 min
The first episode of the series Hey, Mister, Let’s Play, whose protagonists are two bears. The older bear is sly and worldly-wise, the younger one is naive and swallows the bait every time. In this episode, the bears first meet, but it is already clear who is who.
What the Earthworm Didn’t Know
Pojar Břetislav | Czechoslovakia | 1969 | 8 min
A tragicomic adaptation of Darwin’s theory of evolution. An earthworm becomes man, goes through all historical epochs until the present day, and in the end happily slips back underground as an earthworm.
The Apple Tree Maiden
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1973 | 14 min
Based on Karel Jaromir Erben’s story of the enchanted Apple Maiden who is freed from the curse of an evil witch by true love. The film is notable for its medieval visual style. Winner of the Golden Prize for best film in Odense in 1979.
A Dog’s Story
Břetislav Pojar | Czech Republic | 2009 | 16 min
The story of the friendship between a boy and a stray dog, told using puppet animation with drawn elements. The film, which is aimed primarily at the youngest audiences, shows how – in this era of electronic toys – we can still form a bond with nature.
Břetislav Pojar / NFB
E
Břetislav Pojar | Canada | 1981 | 7 min
A giant statue of the letter “E” arrives in a park. A man sees it as “B”; they are preparing to cart him off to the loony bin when a doctor arrives and determines the man needs glasses. Then the king arrives; he also sees a “B”. He tries on the glasses, sees an “E”, and pins a medal on the doctor. Then he has his goon squad come and bash everyone over the head until they too see a “B”.
Nightangel
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia, Canada | 1986 | 19 min
A story of a young man who goes blind. In his fantasies, he is always accompanied by a beautiful and kind girl. The filmmakers used a combination of two techniques: puppets for the “reality” of the hero’s life and the demanding and rarely used “pinscreen” technique to show the glamour of his imaginary world.
Mouseology
Břetislav Pojar | Canada | 1994 | 9 min
Using the comic device of trained laboratory mice, this animated short examines the insidious nature of cigarette addiction, how it can begin in young people, and how difficult it is to quit.
Why?
Břetislav Pojar | Canada | 1995 | 9 min
A synthesis of articles 27, 29, 30, 31 and 38 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, this film illustrates children’s right to a future. Four children see images of other youngsters around the world who dream of doing great things when they grow up but whose dreams are dashed by the harsh reality of their lives. Shocked, the children urgently ask adults to do something.
To See or Not To See
Břetislav Pojar | Canada | 1969 | 15 min
A scientist develops an unusual pair of eyeglasses that allows the wearer’s mind to see things objectively rather than in the usual subjective manner.
Boom
Břetislav Pojar | Canada, Czechoslovakia | 1979 | 10 min
The hilariously funny satire warning of the harmful consequences of escalated arms racing. The film was awarded the Special Prize of the Jury for Short Films at Cannes in 1979.
Břetislav Pojar / The Butterfly Time
The Butterfly Time
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1990 | 97 min
A full-length combined live-action and animated film, The Butterfly Time is about the time when a boy still believes in fairy-tales but at the same time is able to work with a computer. It is the time of his first platonic love accompanied by the mockery of all his friends. A story of a boy and his adventure with a fairy who resembles a little butterfly girl.
Břetislav Pojar / Garden
Animal Lover
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1984 | 15 min
The introduction to the “Garden” series based on the book of the same title by Jiří Trnka. It is a story about an old and lonely man who buys a few small animals. However, the animals grow up to be a whale and two elephants.
Sa 04/05/2013
09.00-10.15
Mo 06/05/2013
10.30-11.45
Czech television Hall
(About the) Thick Fog
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1975 | 14 min
The second episode of the “Garden” series based on the book by Jiří Trnka. It is a story about four schoolboys who got lost in a thick fog and find the entrance into an old neglected garden that is a symbol of the children’s fantasy.
Sa 04/05/2013
09.00-10.15
Mo 06/05/2013
10.30-11.45
Czech television Hall
How to Catch a Tiger
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1976 | 18 min
This time the four boys decide to organize a hunt for the mean old tomcat, in in which, however, they themselves are almost chased down.
Sa 04/05/2013
09.00-10.15
Mo 06/05/2013
10.30-11.45
Czech television Hall
Elahw the Whale
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1977 | 14 min
In the next episode of the "Garden" series based on the book by Jiří Trnka the four schoolboys look for a highly-educated whale that should be living in the garden. They would like to be quizzed by the whale as they will have school exams the next day.
Sa 04/05/2013
09.00-10.15
Mo 06/05/2013
10.30-11.45
Czech television Hall
(About )Mice In Tinfoil
Břetislav Pojar | Czechoslovakia | 1977 | 15 min
This one is the story of a mean tomcat that got sick after eating to much candy and chocolate and how the boys cured him.
Sa 04/05/2013
09.00-10.15
Mo 06/05/2013
10.30-11.45
Czech television Hall
Vladimír Jiránek
GEN – Vladimír Jiránek As Seen by Jan Hřebejk
Jan Hřebejk | Czech Republic | 1993 | 16 min
The Czech Television programme “GEN” remembers the outstanding Czech cartoonist made famous by Bob and Bobek, two rabbits from a magician’s hat. Sadly, the popular illustrator succumbed to serious illness at the age of 74.
What Did We Do to the Hens
Vladimír Jiránek | Czechoslovakia | 1977 | 6 min
A cartoon comedy about the life of hens, into which man interferes in his selfish way. The hens adapt, and some even do better as a result. The 1978 recipient of the main prize in Berlin, the Golden Bear.
Hockey is a Game
Vladimír Jiránek | Czechoslovakia | 1978 | 6 min
Humorous observations of an ice hockey match, explaining the essential nature and charm of this macho sport.
Status Report on Civilisation
Vladimír Jiránek | Czechoslovakia | 1981 | 8 min
A statement on the current state of technology in modern civilisation as succinctly expressed by cartoonist Vladimír Jiránek.
Computerland
Ivo Hejcman, Vladimír Jiránek | Czechoslovakia | 1987 | 5 min
Vladimír Jiránek’s original approach shows the way people fall 100 % for super sophisticated technologies and are ready to allow the world to be run by robots. Jiránek’s wit and clever drawings highlight the fact that we can easily destroy ourselves.
A Report on Bears
Vladimír Jiránek, R. M. Brožková | Czechoslovakia | 1983 | 5 min
A satirical look at how bears have to adapt to human civilisation in order to compete and survive.
The Olympic Fire
Vladimír Jiránek, Josef Hekrdla | Czechoslovakia | 1983 | 7 min
This humorous film, shot on the occasion of the Olympic Games, tells the story of a runner trying to carry the Olympic fire into the stadium – but first he has to overcame various modern hurdles symbolising contemporary life.
Jam-Session
Josef Hekrdla, Vladimír Jiránek | Czechoslovakia | 1985 | 6 min
We enter the world of beetles who in many ways resemble people. The only time they have any peace and quiet is when they have to wait by the train crossing.
Bob and Bobek – Builders
Václav Bedřich | Czechoslovakia | 1978 | 7 min
Today the two rabbits go on a trip. Hitchhiking, they end up at a construction site, so they try their luck as bricklayers and in the end help to catch two thieves.
Pat and Mat – Spring Cleaning
Lubomír Beneš | Czechoslovakia | 1990 | 8 min
Pat and Mat decide to clean house. They empty their trash into the dustbin, but it soon fills up and they have no other place to put it. Because they don’t want to leave their trash lying out in front of the house, they try to come up with the best way of getting rid of it.
Beer to Go
Václav Bedřich | Czechoslovakia | 1974 | 4 min
A satirical story mocking the breakneck development of automobiles. A man wants to get a beer from a pub that stands just opposite his house, but across a highway. In order to get there, he must take a painstaking drive. In the end, all worked up, he forgets the beer in front of the pub.