Prague film series aimed at explaining Czech culture to expats begins a second season

Prague’s monthly film series devoted to explaining Czech life to foreigners is back.

Some Like It Czech presents classic Czech films along with a short stand-up comedy introduction to put the film into context. The series begins its sophomore run on Sept. 21 with a new screening cycle that promises some cult classics and hidden gems from the world of Czech cinema.

Some Like It Czech is intended to bring Czech culture not only to tourists or students on an exchange stay but to expats living in Prague. The project is the brainchild of two fans of Czech movies who wanted to share their passion for Czech films with an English-speaking audience.

Founded by students Anna Šenfeldová and Šárka Bekrová, the film series aims to introduce Czech culture and history to foreigners living in Prague and the vicinity. Now, after a short summer break, it's starting its second season.

"After our first year of screenings, we have found that conveying Czech culture through film is  something that both we and audience members have enjoyed, as evidenced by the wonderful turnout that happens with each screening."

In the upcoming season, audience can look forward to popular hits like the Christmas classic “Cozy Dens,” and cult films by Oscar-winning directors Miloš Forman and Jan Svěrák. Before each screening, there is always a short introduction, which set up the movie (but with no spoilers)!

"It took us a while to find the right form of introduction, but I think we finally honed it to perfection," says Šenfeldová.

The series delved into details that might otherwise be missed by the viewer or might remain misunderstood due to cultural and language barriers. Additional highlights and points of interest will also be posted on Instagram before each screening. 

Bekrová, says that each screening has additional fun in store for viewers. Last year for the screening of the detective thriller "The Story of a Godfather" a Q&A was held with the former police investigator Hynek Vlas, who once helped solve the case of a notorious criminal here in the Czech Republic. For a screening of "Cutting it Short" the audience was served beer from the real-life brewery associated with the film.

Signature drinks are on offer before each screening which is followed by a meet and greet with the founders.

Joanne Elvy, a Canadian lecturer of World Cinema now living in Prague, says, “The ‘Some Like It Czech’ team has done an amazing job of presenting such a wide selection of  Czech films and with English subtitles, some of which you would never have a chance to see elsewhere."

To date “Some Like It Czech” has screened 10 movies since last October 2021,  introducing expats to Czech folklore with the dark romance “Wild Flowers”; shedding a tear or two with the endearing Christmas fairytale “Three Wishes for Cinderella”; and then hitting the slopes with a teenage comedy “Snowboarders.” 

The second season kicks off on Sept. 21 at Aero Cinema with the film “Loners” (Samotáři in Czech) the story of seven young people looking for love on the threshold of the new millennium. Amidst the haze of weed and the free spirit of the late nineties, the film promises a respectable introduction to the world of contemporary Czech cinema. 

The single-screen Aero cinema in Prague’s Žižkov district has long been a cultural hub. After the Velvet Revolution, it was the first cinema in the city to rely on art house programming and retrospectives instead of recent blockbusters. The cinema’s history goes back to the 1930s when it was an Art Deco cinema showcase. Actress Lída Baarová and actor Hugo Haas attended the grand opening in 1933.

“Aero has become a legend thanks to its distinctive programming, and we want to continue with this tradition. I am very delighted that we have something special for our regular non-Czech speaking audience,” cinema manager Jiří Flígl said when the project debuted last year.