The first ever Czech Film Festival in Malaysia has been launched and there are five movies currently showing at selected GSC Cinemas for free! That's right, all you have to do is to visit GSC Pavilion KL, GSC Mid Valley and One Utama, to redeem your free tickets from the box office counter (while stocks last) from now until 12 March 2017. Here we give international movie lovers a brief introduction to those five Czech films that are lush in cinematography and have great stories and also reasons why you should 'Czech' them out!
What is it about: Filmmaker Jan Sverák had directed his father, Zdenek Sverák to play an irresponsible middle-aged concert cellist who is also a playboy. For the sake of money, he undergoes a sham marriage to a Russian woman seeking citizenship, but when she leaves for West Germany, she leaves behind her 5-year-old son, Kolya, for the musician to look after. Why you should watch: "Kolya" is critically acclaimed and had won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and also a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
What is it about: Another film by the "Kolya" team this time follows two Czech pilots Franta and Karel who escape their Nazi-occupied hometown to join the British Royal Air Force. Karel's plane gets hit in the countryside but he is cared for by an Englishwoman named Susan. The two make love, and when Karel brings Susan to meet Franta, Susan and Franta end up falling for each other too in this emotional love-triangle. Why you should watch: This is no "Top Gun", but is a very heartwarming tale about two Czech pilots and the matters of true friendship
What is it about: Taking place in Prague in 1945 to 1946, 10-year-old Eda Soucek and his friend Tonda are troublemakers at their school. When their female teacher finally has enough a war hero takes over the class. But this war hero, as tough as he may seem has a weakness in women. His naughty students are ever ready to help him but Eda can't help to compare him to his useless father. Why you should watch: This may be filmmaker Jan Sverák's third film showing at this festival, but this time it is a comedy written by his father and "Kolya" actor Zdenek Sverák guaranteeing a film just as good as the rest. It was also nominated for an Academy Award in 1991.
What is it about: Set in 1346, the time has come to elect a king for the Roman Empire. But Moravian Margrave Charles is the only candidate and is following the entire process in disguise, playing a dangerous political game with the person who can halt everything, his father the Czech King of Luxembourg. Why you should watch: The film is the only period piece in the festival and it's like a more classic and political version of "Game of Thrones" minus all the excessive.
What is it about: This comedy follows two older people who want to live life to the fullest. It starts off with a retired high-school teach Ota who looks up a retired actress who had affected his life long ago. Although she soon does not meet his expectations, a road-trip soon gives him new light. Why you should watch it: Don't mistake this movie starring two older actors as one that will only be interesting to the older generation. Many quirky life lessons can be taken from it as well regardless of one's age!