A Perfect View of Prague at Czech That Film Texas: A month-long series spotlights Czech Republic cinema – Screens

After a year full of uncertainty and an ever-changing situation following the pandemic, the decade-old Czech That Film Texas film festival is back in Austin.

Texas is home to the largest Czech population in the country, and festival organizers hope to shine a light on a community that many may be unaware of. Showing the best films from the Czech Republic in theaters around Austin, Czech That Film focuses on entertaining and educating audiences about Czech culture as well as telling the stories of others through film. With four films screened every Tuesday in April, festival director Jeffrey Brown said there was something in this series for everyone, adding it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to discover Czech cinema, not only in general but on the big screen.

“It will be something people can talk about and think about.” –Jeffrey Brown

Having lived in the Czech Republic for 20 years of his life, Brown said that through his work with Czech That Film Texas he was able to extend his love for Czech films, especially now with the cloud hanging over Eastern Europe. With the anxiety and distrust present as a result of the situation, Brown said they felt like they had chosen a suitable opening film (Occupation) to encourage discussion on the topic. Czech Cultural Attaché Jan Woska will travel from the Czech Embassy in Washington, DC for the film’s opening night screenings in Austin and San Marcos. Brown said it will provide a unique opportunity for conversation about the current conflict, as it is probably “the only event in the coming months that is going to have a film addressing the situation with someone from one of these embassies in town.

“It’s going to be something people can talk about and think about,” Brown added. “It’s going to allow people to come out and be shown a movie that’s about something very timely and give them a chance to talk to their peers and other moviegoers about it. It’s going to be a really good food for thought.”

Czech That Film Texas 2022, April 5-26, czechthatfilmtexas.com.

Profession (Okupace)

Winner of three Czech Lion awards (the country’s Oscars), the season-opening film follows a sleepy actors’ party set in a Czech provincial theater. A Russian officer arrives uninvited, attempting to sell a gas canister while causing tension and conflict within the group. Wearing political undertones, particularly with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Brown said, “People will definitely see the similarities between the real-life situation and what happens in the movie.” April 5, 7 p.m.: Purple Crown. April 6, 7 p.m.: Price Center, 222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos.

Atlas of Birds (Atlas Ptáků)

The embezzlement of a multi-million dollar business leads to growing distrust of the family running the business. April 12, 7 p.m., purple crown

Diary of a Modern Dad (Deníek Moderního Fotra)

The highest-grossing comedy in the country in 2021 offsets the seriousness of the other films selected. Diary of a Modern Dad is a romantic comedy about non-traditional parenting and love when a one-night stand unexpectedly leads to fatherhood. April 19, 7 p.m., purple crown

Two Ships (Marťanské Lodě)

An instant spark becomes a love affair between two individuals who realize they need each other. The romantic drama invites viewers to wonder what love really is and if it can be enough. Lead actress Eliška Křenková was nominated for a Lion for her performance. April 26, 7 p.m., purple crown