Chytilova, Vera (1929–)
Chytilova, Vera (1929–)
Czech film director. Born Feb 2, 1929, in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic); educated at Charles University and Film Faculty, Academy of Music and Art (FAMU), 1957–62; m. Jaroslav Kucera (cinematographer); children: 2.
Widely regarded as one of the best filmmakers in Europe, landed a coveted spot at FAMU, Prague's film school, where she studied directing; leaning heavily on cinema verité, often used non-actors and improvisation to lend authenticity to films; riled censors with Daisies and The Fruit of Paradise (1969); after Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968), was fired from Barrandov Studios; though not officially blacklisted, was not allowed to work; wrote to Czechoslovakian President Gustav Husak, telling him in effect that she had been censured (1975); allowed to work again, released The Apple Game (1976), hailed internationally as the best Czech film in years; was the 1st Eastern European filmmaker to deal with subject of AIDS (Tainted Horseplay, 1989); other films include Panelstory (1979), Calamity (1980), The Very Late Afternoon of a Faun (1983), Prague, the Restless Heart of Europe (short, 1985), Wolf's Cabin (1986), The Jester and the Queen (1987), The Liberator (short, 1991), My Inhabitants of Prague Understand Me (1991) and Inheritance (1992).
See also Women in World History.