Jiří Trnka

One of film history’s great pioneers of puppet animation, Czech artist Jiří Trnka was often referred to as the “Walt Disney of Eastern Europe” even though the majority of his films were intended for adults. These two programs provide an intriguing snapshot of his influential body of work.

The touring retrospective The Puppet Master: The Films of Jiří Trnka is produced by Comeback Company, originated at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Curated by Irena Kovarova. Films provided by the Czech National Film Archive.

Pictured above (left to right): Archangel Gabriel and Mistress Goose (Jiří Trnka, 1964); animator Jiří Trnka; and The Emperor’s Nightingale (Jiří Trnka and Miloš Makovec, 1949).