Director

Jan Svěrák

1965

Who they are

Born: 6 February 1965, Žatec, Protektorát Čechy a Morava [now Czech Republic]
Known for: The Elementary School, Kolya, Dark Blue World

Jan Svěrák is a Czech director, born in 1965 and trained at FAMU in Prague. He is the son of actor and screenwriter Zdeněk Svěrák, who has written many of his films. He is best known for Kolya, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and is a landmark of post-communist Czech cinema.

Where to start

The Elementary School (1991)Log in to add it to the library
Nostalgic postwar childhood comedy that established him as a feature director and earned an Oscar nomination.
Kolya (1996)Full guide
His international breakthrough, a warm Czech drama about a musician and a young boy, which won the Oscar.
Dark Blue World (2001)In the library
Ambitious drama about Czech airmen flying for the RAF in WWII, showing his move to larger-scale filmmaking.
Empties (2007)In the library
Gentle comedy-drama about a retired teacher, written with his father, reflecting his recurring collaboration with Zdeněk Svěrák.
Barefoot (2017)Log in to add it to the library
Later family-oriented comedy-drama that continued his focus on everyday Czech life and humour.

Their films in the library

Awards

1997 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (Kolya)
1997 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film (Kolya)

The full list · 24

1986Vesmírná Odysea IILog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1988An Uncertain SeasonLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1989Služební cesta podporučíka SvěrákaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1991The Elementary SchoolLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1994Accumulator 1Log in to add it to the libraryDirector
1994The RideLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1995Válka barevLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1996KolyaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1997An Ambiguous Report About the End of the WorldLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2001Dark Blue WorldLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2001RebelsLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2004DaddyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Self
2005From Subway with LoveLog in to add it to the libraryActor as číšník
2007EmptiesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2008Guard No. 47Log in to add it to the libraryActor
2010KookyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2014Three BrothersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2017BarefootLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2019Česká reklama: Úsvit kapitalismuLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Himself
2022Bethlehem LightLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2026Five plumsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2026Zdeněk Svěrák 90Log in to add it to the libraryActor
2026Oil GobblersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2026FAMU 80 – Best ofLog in to add it to the libraryDirector

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.