(1929-2014)
Věra Chytilová, the first lady of Czech cinema, one of the key figures of the so-called Czechoslovak New Wave, as the generation of directors employing new themes and artistic means was called in the 1960s. In her films, she did not skimp on originality and metaphors that clearly and unequivocally disparaged life conditions under the communist rule. Provocative topics span her entire cinematic work, for which she collected numerous domestic and international awards. The label “director” is too narrow for Věra Chytilová. She was one of the most important spokespeople for freedom, for more than fifty years – starting with student films at Prague’s Film and TV School (FAMU), of which she became the first female graduate. After the fall of the communist regime in 1989, she also devoted herself to teaching at FAMU. At the age of 75, she became the head of its directing department. She took interest in politics and the position of women in society. For a period, she served as an elected representative in the Prague City Assembly.