The Cinematheque

“Trnka—the name is the sum of childhood and poetry.”

Jean Cocteau

The Cinematheque is pleased to present a major retrospective (the first ever offered in Vancouver) of the works of Czech animation master Jiří Trnka (1912−1969).

Revered as the pioneer of a remarkable new genre of animation that utilized puppets, Trnka conveyed the drama and psychology of his characters through his figures’ body language, expressive lighting, and camera movement. The director’s approach to puppet film as a serious art form was born out of the lively Czech puppet-theater tradition, which helped preserve the Czech language during centuries of Hapsburg rule. A prolific artist, author, and beloved book illustrator before making his first movie, Trnka had enormous impact on the development of Czech animation, and he inspired the careers of generations of filmmakers and animators around the globe.

Trnka’s body of work as a director was rivaled only by Walt Disney Studios in output and brought him international acclaim. With his puppet animation studio, founded in 1946, he helped lay the groundwork for Czech animation predominance alongside stop-motion animation masters Karel Zeman, Hermína Týrlová, Jan Švankmajer, and Jiří Barta. Trnka and these artists have, in turn, influenced the likes of Tim Burton and the Brothers Quay.

This essential series comprises five feature films and ten shorts, and includes new digital restorations of The Czech Year and Old Czech Legends, a number of archival 35mm prints, and several newly-translated works. The retrospective originated at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York in April, and is now touring North America.

“Genius … Trnka’s legacy ultimately rests on his gifts as a world-builder and fabulist. At that, he’s simply nonpareil.” Michael Sragow, Film Comment

“Glorious … A giant in the history of animation.” Cerise Howard, Senses of Cinema

“Not a single screening should be missed.” Patrick Dahl, Screen Slate