The Czech Center New York presents a documentary portrait of Jan Werich, the greatest Czech comedian, directed by Martin Slunečko.
Werich's last minute escape from Czechoslovakia just before the Fascism took over or his second emigration in 1968 are just a few parts from Jan Werich's rather dramatic life. Together with Jiri Voskovec, he invented "pre-scenes” for his plays and became a successful playwright and actor.
However, the documentary focuses on lesser-known facts, including the background of the filming of "The Empreror and the Golem", cooperation with Miroslav Hornícek, or Werich’s appearance in James Bond film "You Only Live Twice” and next to Anthony Quinn… A major part of the documentary is dedicated to the last 10 years of Jan Werich's life when he was pushed to the side, was not able to not perform or publish and faced crucial misfortunes.
Jan Werich - the master of metaphors who has always been perceived by the nation as a wise clown and folksy philosopher fighting against stupidity, which, as he used to say, cannot be defeated but one must never stop fighting it.
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If Somebody Already Is: Jan Werich
Directed by Martin Slunečko and Miloš Šmídmajer. Documentary, Czechia, 2021, 105 min.
Featuring: Jan Werich, Jiří Suchý, Zdeněk Svěrák, Jiřina Bohdalová, Pavel Taussig, Vladimír Just, Eva Tůmová, František Cinger
Martin Slunečko. Photo credit © Ondřej Mirovský
