věra chytilová
screenwriter/director
Studied architecture in Brno before working as draughtswoman, lab technician and model. Began her film career at Barrandov as a continuity girl, then assistant director. After several years of gaining practical studio experience (1953-57) she studied feature film directing at Prague's film school, FAMU, graduating in 1962 with her film STROP (The Ceiling). One of Europe’s foremost directors, she received the French Chevalier dans l’ordre de l’art et des lettres award in 1992, and in 1998 was presented with the Czech Medal of Merit by Vaclav Havel. At the 2000 Karlovy Vary Film Festival she was awarded the special prize for her lifetime contribution to world cinema.
