Norbert Theo Auerbach - In His Own Words

AARO Prague is pleased to present an evening dedicated to founder member Mr. Norbert Theo Auerbach, who passed away in Prague in December of 2009 at the age of 87. Among many positions he held during a long and successful career in the movie business, he was President of United Artists for which company he was a pioneer in the business of international motion picture distribution. He returned to his childhood home, Prague, in 1989 just before the end of Communism and became a prominent figure in social and business circles. He was a key element in the boom in foreign films shooting in Prague during the 1990s; served as a consultant to Barrandov Studios, Lucerna Film (which became Bontonfilm) and numerous other companies; was a founder member of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic, and of the Prague chapter of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas. He was an active philanthropist, a loyal friend and a generous mentor who is fondly remembered and missed by many. His social grace, his ability to charm in several languages and his wonderful sense of humor and fun, impressed upon all those who had the good fortune to meet him.

Norbert Auerbach was a great teller of stories and anecdotes, but rather than try to do him justice in the same way, we will be screening two documentaries about his life, and so will let him tell his story in his own words.

– Confessions of a Hollywood Mogul – dir. Alena Činčerová – 14 mins (ČTV) (in Czech w/ English subtitles)

– From Bohemia to Hollywood and Back – dir. Miloslav Šmídmajer – 56 mins (ČTV) (in Czech w/ English subtitles)

Both directors plan to attend and say a few words about their films before each screening.

This event is meant as an opportunity for all of those who knew Norbert Auerbach to come and remember him, and for all of those who are curious to know more about this extraordinary man.

This event is organized by the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, with the kind support of the American Center of the US Embassy, Prague.