A Czech Painter
Category
filmGenre
art, biographyTypology
documentarytheatrical distributionshortOriginal title
Český malířCzech title
Český malířEnglish title
A Czech PainterWorking title
Jan ZrzavýSummary
Václav Táborský's short documentary film A Czech Painter offers an insight into a day of life of the famous Czech painter Jan Zrzavý. The film follows the artist's everyday activities in and around his apartment, but it also gives an opportunity to see the artist working on new art projects.
Synopsis
The clock is ticking in the apartment of painter Jan Zrzavý in Prague's Malá Strana. In the apartment we found wooden dolls, jars full of brushes, paint is omnipresent. Jan Zrzavý comes closer to the painting and continues his work. He sits down in a chair, puts on his glasses, and observes the painting. He paints with his finger. He walks around the apartment, prepares his food, and listens to the radio. When the phone rings, Zrzavý picks it up and starts talking. Zrzavý walks down the street with his walking stick, arrives at the Loreta Square and sits down in a garden restaurant. From the restaurant he goes down the Castle Steps. He comes back to his apartment. He is lying on the sofa reading a book called Das Elefantenblatt by Johannes Urzidil. Flash images of Zrzavý's works are seen. He looks out of the window and listens to the radio again. He picks up a paintbrush and sits down at the canvas. The empty frames are gradually filled with Zrzavý's paintings using animation. Jan Zrzavý talks about his vision getting worse. However, this does not stop him from painting. When it is finished, Zrzavý signs his painting.
Photos
Performed by
Crew and creators
Director
Screenstory
Screenplay
Dramaturg
Director of Photography
Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Music
Music Composed by
archivní
Selected Music
Antonín Dvořák (Smyčcový kvartet č. 12 F dur Americký /druhá věta/)
Production info
Original Title
Český malíř
Czech Title
Český malíř
English Title
A Czech Painter
Working Title
Jan Zrzavý
Category
film
Typology
documentarytheatrical distribution
Genre
art, biography
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1963
Production Year
1963
Production specifications
projection approval 9 November 1983
Premiere
premiere 1964 /suitable for youths/
Distribution slogan
no caption
Production
Copyright Holders
Laboratories
Distribution
Technical info
Duration typology
short film
Duration in minutes
10 min
Original length in metres
387 meters
Distribution carrier
16mm, 35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
colour
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
mono
Versions
Czech
Dialogue languages
Czech
Subtitles languages
without subtitles
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
