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Film Screening in Honor of Miloš Forman's Birthday - Feb. 23, 2012 at 7 pm

(This article expired 20.02.2015.)

In honor of director Miloš Forman’s 80th birthday, the Embassy of the Czech Republic will screen the documentary Miloš Forman: What Doesn’t Kill You…(Miloš Forman: Co tě nezabije…) on February 23, at 7 pm, with opening remarks and a Q&A; session led by Michael Jeck, film and media studies professor and former film programmer at the American Film Institute’s Silver Theater. The documentary examines the life of Miloš Forman and explores how his life experiences influenced many of his films.

Also, the Embassy has on view a special exhibition celebrating the life of former President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel by leading Czech photographer Tomki Němec. Václav Havel was a classmate and friend of Miloš Forman.

The event is part of the Embassy’s project: Freedom of Expression in the Contemporary World, dedicated to Miloš Forman and Václav Havel, running from February-May 2012.

A reception follows the screening and Q&A session.

Location: Embassy of the Czech Republic

3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008

RSVP by February 21 to czech_events@yahoo.com or 202/274-9105

Miloš Forman: What Doesn’t Kill You… (Miloš Forman: Co tě nezabije…)

Directed by: Miloslav Šmídmajer, 2009, 100 min. in Czech with English subtitles

Synopsis: During his visit in the Czech Republic, he points out parts of past that have found their way into his films: his experience with Fascism and Communism are the inspiration behind the “Big Nurse” from the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. His experience with the two regimes also served as insight in making Goya’s Ghosts. The feeling of longing for freedom is clearly present in all of his movies, including Hair, Ragtime and The People vs. Larry Flynt. 

 Miloslav Šmídmajer, director of the documentary, shot the film over five years in Europe and America. Throughout the film, he presents a number of Forman’s friends, co-workers, actors, and family. The film is also enriched by unique scenes from Forman’s films and photographs from his personal archive.

 Spend an evening at the Embassy of the Czech Republic celebrating the life of Miloš Forman.

Exhibition: The selection of 41 black and white photographs reveals the humor and nuances of the life of former President Václav Havel. Some of the renowned pictures in the collection feature Havel being elected president, giving his memorable speech at the U.S. Congress, meeting the Rolling Stones, traveling to Poland, Spain and Egypt, as well as saying goodbye to citizens at the National Theater after 13 years in office.

In the early 1990s, Němec served as the personal photographer for President Václav Havel. He published a volume of photographs that constitute a unique document of Havel’s first term in office. Němec has received wide acclaim for his works. He has twice been awarded prizes in the World Press Photo contest and his work has been published featured in numerous prestigous periodicals, including The New York Times, Time Magazine, among others.

Freedom of Expression in the Contemporary World

The Embassy of the Czech Republic presents the project Freedom of Expression in the Contemporary World, which is dedicated to lifelong friends and symbols of the fight for democracy and freedom: the renowned Czech film director Miloš Forman and former Czech and Czechoslovak President Václav Havel. Running from February-May 2012, the project incorporates documentary screenings, panel discussions, exhibitions, and lectures focusing on freedom of expression particularly in Burma, Belarus, and Cuba.

Mutual Inspirations Festival 2012-Miloš Forman         

The project is a prelude to the Mutual Inspirations Festival 2012-Miloš Forman which will take place September-October 2012. The festival will celebrate Oscar-winning, Czech director Miloš Forman’s 80th birthday, the best of Czech cinematography, and the accomplishments of the transatlantic film industry, featuring over 30 films and events in prestigious venues throughout the Washington area. In addition, the festival will incorporate concerts, lectures, exhibitions, and theatrical performances related to film, photography, and/or the multimedia realm.

 Website: www.mutualinspirations.org