Karel Vachek

A controversial filmmaker - a documentary filmmaker of a philosophical nature, whose films have either supporters or opponents. From 1958 to 1963, he studied at the Prague FAMU. Already during his studies, he became famous for his filmmaking complexity, high erudition and philosophical-sociological depth of his films, which also led to distaste among some teachers (the school film Kamil Lhoták). He graduated from school with the film Moravian Hellas. It was a polemical reportage from the folk festivals in Strážnice. The film was personally banned by president Novotný. It was only permitted in 1968 and won an award at the Karlovy Vary IFF.

In 1968, he made the famous documentary Spřízněni volbou, an artistic documentation of the events surrounding the presidential election (awarded at the Oberhausen IFF in 1969). After that, Vachek was unable to film again. He worked as a screenwriter in Krátký film Praha, but none of the scripts were realized. In 1979 he emigrated to the United States. After 1989 he returned and made 7 feature-length documentary novels that deal with a variety of topics. These films are distinguished not only by their exceptional length, but also by their deep thoughtfulness and philosophical nature. From 1994 until his death he taught and also headed the Department of Documentary Filmmaking at FAMU.

Karel Vachek is known for work in directing across film and television. New Release currently presents 18 verified screen credits connected to this profile.

Selected work includes All Men Become Brothers (2023), Communism and the Net, or the End of Representative Democracy (2019), Golden Sixties (2009), Bohemia Docta or the Labyrinth of the World and the Lust-House of the Heart (A Divine Comedy) (2000), Moravian Hellas (1964), New Hyperion or Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood (1992), Suffering (1962), New flat (1977). The recorded credits span 1960 to 2023, including 17 movies and 1 TV show.

The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles. This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.