1995

Homo economicus is the nick-name for the famous American economist and Nobel Prize-winner Gary S.Becker. His ideas are also interesting for people who have never taken an interest in economy. Gary Becker calls himself Homo economicus since he analyses human behaviour from an economic point of view, whether this involves reflection upon marriage, the decision to have children, the manner in which they are brought up, divorce, crime or perhaps also racial discrimination. Becker visited Prague to accept an honorary doctorate from the Prague School of Economics where he met President Vaclav Havel and took part in a panel discussion with the Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus.

© F. Naumann Foundation

„If someone wants to make millions, the quickest way is to establish one's own religion“. These are the words of Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientological Church.

The Czech Republic is home to about 50 various sects and religions with more than 30.000 members - Jehovah's witnesses, the United Church of the Moonies, the Message of the Grail, Parsifal Mannel, Hare Krishna and many others. What leads people at the end of the 20th century to throw themselves into a world often full of absurd dogmatics and theories, and voluntarily to sacrifice their own identity, freedom, homeland and sometimes even their lives? The film is based on the testimonies of former members of sects who managed to break free from their influence.

© Czech television

This documentary film by Ivan Vojnar captures two theatre seasons and one year of peoples' lives in three small theatres. It is an attempt to present Czech theatre of the '90s and how it reflects the changes which society has undergone. This is chiefly a film about artists and their work, about young people for whom the world begins and ends at the stage door. The new conditions give them a chance to revive their ambitions and zealous resolution to show the world their abilities.

© Nadace F&S 

Winston Churchill once said: „Democracy is the best of the worst ways to mend human society...“

Before the local elections of 1994 Bretislav Rychlik asked voters and candidates in Most, Pisek and Javornik nad Velickou to give their opinions about the justification for local politics. The crew set off for three different towns in the Czech Republic to hear the views of the people - in pubs, on the street, at a Communist meeting, at the Town Hall and elsewhere - on how democracy is being fostered, how it is faring and, most importantly, how the people are faring within it.

© Czech television

Portraits of several refugees and their families who are anxiously waiting in refugee camps to see if their application for asylum is successful. There are currently approx. 600 asylumseekers living in the Czech Republic who are seeking the status of refugee from a country where war and hunger prevail. According to the current law, however, these are not sufficient reasons in order that refugee status may be granted. One legitimate reason, on the other hand, is justified fear from persecution. The film shows us the work and views of employees from the foreign police division, refugee camps and also presents schools for refugee children.

Film was supported by European association PHARE and Advisory centre for refugees of Czech Helsinki Committee.

© Czech television

Romanies called whites „gadge“ and wish themselves to be called Romanies and not gipsies. However, for the majority of Czech citizens, they remain gipsies. The „whites“ do not believe in the Romanies' ability to gain an education, they feel they are of a lower caste, racially different and also with innate criminal inclinations. The film was made from the point of view of the Romanies and it describes their life among the „gadge“. It also offers a personal testimony from the Romanies and points to their specific activities which are improving their status in the Czech Republic.

© Czech television