30/5 — 5/6/2024
64th International Film Festival
for Children and Youth

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Section: Czechoslovakian Cinema: Ota Hofman 90

Ota Hofman (2018) 10

Czech Republic | 2018 | 52 min.

A documentary that maps the personality and extensive work of a pioneer in Czech children's film – recalling his contribution in a European context. It also clarifies the sometimes paradoxical circumstances around a series of famous TV series and films, e.g. the children's films The Singing Powder-Box, Johnny's Journey, Clown Ferdinand and the Rocket, and the series Mr. Tau and The Visitors. Ota Hofman recounts his story, as do his closest collaborators, prominent filmmakers, film historians, and his son, through whom we also learn much of Hofman's private life.

CountryCzech Republic
Year2018
Duration52 min
Rating10
LanguageCzech
SubtitleNo subtitles
Directed by Karel Smyczek
Screenplay Karel Smyczek
Director of Photography Jan Horáček, Antonín Chundela
Edited by Zdeněk Smrčka
Contact Česká televize

Biography

Karel Smyczek (1950) A film director and screenwriter. His work often shows children growing up and young people. His debut was the drama Goslings (Housata, 1979). He captivated audiences with the films Snowdrops and Aces (Sněženky a machři, 1982), Why? (Proč?, 1987) and the fairy tale Ruffiano and Sweeteeth (Lotrando a Zubejda, 1996). For TV he directed, e.g. the series We Were Five (Bylo nás pět, 1994), Moving Up (Místo nahoře, 2002), and The Starlings in the Web of Time (Špačkovi v síti času, 2013).

Documentary, Biography