A Note from the Ambassador

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the new year of the Czech Embassy´s Mutual Inspirations Festival. This year, with the kind and generous support of our respected partners, we are highlighting a prominent personality of Czech origin who embodies the close link between Czechs and Americans and is an inspiration for more than just our two peoples – Oscar-winning movie director Miloš Forman.

Miloš Forman offers to his audiences perceptions of a Czech eye viewing the rough world through an American camera lens. Such a scene may not always be rosy and pleasing, but that is the reality Miloš Forman is so good at capturing. Always longingly looking to the other side of the Atlantic, in his work he is naturally at home here, in the US, and in the Czech Republic. However, he is able to talk through his movies not only to Czechs and Americans but to audiences world-wide. Those who may feel as underdogs from time to time are given hope in Forman´s movies as the director always stands with his characters who “have issues with the society” and yearn to be truly free.

I am delighted we have been able to put together a series of varied events that offer a refreshed look at Miloš Forman´s remarkable body of work and highlight the idea of freedom, which so strongly resonates in his life story and in the history of both the US and the Czech Republic. I do hope you will accept our invitation to be inspired and join us at the events of this year´s festival.

Petr Gandalovič
Ambassador of the Czech Republic