Lee Adams, a British expat, has lived in Brno for over ten years. Though it took him a while to like Czech movies, he now enjoys them so much that he runs a review site to encourage others to watch them too. I caught up with him to discuss his newfound passion and some of the best Czech movies.

Have you always been interested in movies?

Yes, I’ve been a huge film buff since I was little. I grew up on a diet of monster movies, horror, action, and westerns. My parents didn’t care about certification so I got to see a lot of stuff when I was way too young (the best time in my opinion). The perfect age to see The Thing, Poltergeist, or Aliens is about twelve years old!

I went on to study film at university. I chose this subject because movies like Trainspotting, Pulp Fiction, and Seven made me realise there was someone behind the camera making decisions about how the film came out on the screen. I kind of knew that before, but those three films really made me aware of the director’s influence. Once I’d made that connection my love for movies became much deeper and more involved.

I quit my degree halfway through (one of my biggest regrets), but those two years taught me how to think critically about cinema. I didn’t really use that knowledge until about eight years ago when I had a spell in hospital. I decided to put the time to good use and start my own movie blog. After that I wrote for Brno Expat Centre for about five years and a number of other websites.

What prompted you to start reviewing the best Czech movies?

I always had difficulties finding a really consistent, quality source of film criticism about Czech cinema. So I thought, why don’t I create one? I’m no expert on Czech movies, but I thought I could comfortably take the standpoint of a knowledgeable outsider.

How would you describe Czech movies?

It is noticeable how many Czech movies are set in villages. These films tend to feature characters drinking beer, having sex, and shouting at each other. I refer to these films as “bumpkincore”. When you explore a little further though, the idiosyncratic and playful nature of Czech films is impressive. Something like Valerie and Her Week of Wonders is almost unclassifiable.

Why do so many Czech movies use the communist era as a backdrop?

The country spent fifty years under communist rule and it had a massive impact on the Czech national psyche. The English still base so much of their national identity on World War II, and that ended almost eighty years ago! The Velvet Revolution was only thirty years ago, and the communist era lasted far longer than WWII, so it’s unsurprising that it still has a huge impact on Czech filmmakers.

Are Czech movies difficult for foreigners to understand?

Generally, I’d say yes. If you’re brought up on a diet of American movies like I was, then you’re used to films with a clear beginning, middle, and end. I definitely found Czech movies less accessible at first, and judging by the general lack of enthusiasm expats have for Czech movies, I’d say this goes for a lot of people. I originally thought Czech movies were a bit dull, all middle, with a little bit of end. It took a while to adjust to their rhythm.

Which films would you recommend to learn about Czech culture?

I’d probably start with Pelíšky (Cosy Dens). It’s such an enjoyable, easily accessible film and introduces lots of elements of Czech culture. It’s also set against the backdrop of the Prague Spring.

Slunce, seno, jahody (Sun, Hay, Strawberries) is bumpkincore at its finest. Czechs either love it or really, really, hate it! It probably cuts a bit too close to home for people here who know village life. It’s crude and noisy but has a quirky vibe. And it is surprisingly sarcastic about collective farming in the ’80s.

Lastly, I’d go for Sedmikrásky (Daisies). You need to have something from the Czech New Wave in there, and while it’s an avant-garde piece, it feels far fresher and modern than some of the more conventional films from the period. It’s really vibrant, funny, and stands out as something very special.

Which Czech movie has surprised you the most?

I hate to repeat myself, but I’d say Sedmikrásky (Daisies). I saw it quite early on and it was the film that made me realize how wildly inventive Czech movies could be. It even helped me get into avant-garde cinema, which is something I previously avoided.

What would you put at the top of the pile when it comes to the best Czech movies?

Spalovač mrtvol (The Cremator) is a masterpiece that far more people should see. Rudolf Hrušínský’s performance is magnificent: he was one of my favourite Czech actors before I saw it, and now he’s one of my favourite actors, period.

*Head over to Czech Film Review for more film recommendations