Budapest’s Puskin Cinema is set to honour Milos Forman, the emblematic figure of the Czech New Wave and a two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker, by screening some of his most celebrated works. The screenings, taking place in February and March, will feature seven of his films, providing an overview of his remarkable career.
Among the films included in the retrospective are Loves of a Blonde (1965) and The Firemen’s Ball (1967), both of which established Forman as a leading voice in the Czechoslovak New Wave. His later Hollywood successes, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), Hair (1979), Amadeus (1984), and The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) will also be shown, offering audiences a chance to experience his diverse body of work.
Milos Forman was one of the most influential filmmakers of modern cinema, celebrated for his sharp social critiques and masterful storytelling. He began his career as a key figure of the Czech New Wave, using satire to expose the absurdities of the Eastern Bloc’s communist regime. His early films, such as Loves of a Blonde and The Firemen’s Ball, were sharply critical of the system. The latter was even banned by Czechoslovak authorities, prompting Forman to leave his homeland after the 1968 Prague Spring and seek new opportunities in the United States.
In Hollywood, Forman’s work gained global recognition. His adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest became a landmark in film history, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Amadeus, a visually stunning biographical drama about composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, went on to win eight Oscars, solidifying Forman’s status as one of cinema’s great auteurs.
Beyond these masterpieces, Forman explored themes of freedom, rebellion, and artistic expression in Hair, a vibrant adaptation of the Broadway musical that captured the spirit of the 1960s counterculture, and The People vs. Larry Flynt, which examined the boundaries of free speech in America.
The Puskin Cinema’s tribute offers audiences a rare opportunity to rediscover Forman’s films on the big screen, allowing both longtime admirers and new viewers to appreciate his unique storytelling style. Through his sharp wit, poignant social commentary, and compelling characters, Forman left an indelible mark on world cinema, making his films as relevant today as they were upon their release.
This retrospective serves as a reminder of his extraordinary talent and enduring legacy, celebrating a filmmaker who bridged cultures and challenged conventions through his art.
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