Jan Čuřík (1 November 1924 – 4 December 1996) was a

Czech Czech may refer to: * Anything from or related to the Czech Republic, a country in Europe ** Czech language ** Czechs, the people of the area ** Czech culture ** Czech cuisine * One of three mythical brothers, Lech, Czech, and Rus *Czech (surnam ...

cinematographer The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the recording of a film, television production, music video or other live-action piece. The cinematographer is the chief of the camera ...

whose work was featured in many Czechoslovak films.

Biography

Jan Čuřík was born in

Prague Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...

Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia ( ; Czech language, Czech and , ''Česko-Slovensko'') was a landlocked country in Central Europe, created in 1918, when it declared its independence from Austria-Hungary. In 1938, after the Munich Agreement, the Sudetenland beca ...

. He began working as a camera assistant in Krátký film Praha. Later he filmed short films and documentaries for the Army. In 1958, he served as cameraman for

Zbyněk Brynych Zbyněk Brynych (13 June 1927 – 24 August 1995) was a Czech film director and screenwriter. He directed 30 films between 1951 and 1985. Selected filmography Czechoslovakia * '' Suburban Romance'' (1958) * ''Five in a Million'' (1959) * '' ...

's '' Suburban Romance'', which was Czechoslovakia's entry in the 1958

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...

. He often worked with director

Jaromil Jireš Jaromil Jireš (10 December 1935 – 24 October 2001) was a director associated with the Czechoslovak New Wave movement. Work His 1963 film '' The Cry'' was entered into the 1964 Cannes Film Festival. It is often described as the first film o ...

, and was the cinematographer for many of his most popular films, including '' The Joke'', and '' Valerie and her Week of Wonders''. He also frequently worked with

and

Karel Kachyňa Karel Kachyňa (1 May 1924 – 12 March 2004) was a Czech film director and screenwriter. His career spanned over five decades. Early life He was born on May 1, 1924, in Vyškov, Czechoslovakia. His father was a government officer. His mother wa ...

. In 1961, he worked on ''

The Gleiwitz Case ''The Gleiwitz Case'' () is an East German war film directed by Gerhard Klein. It was released in 1961. The plot was reconstructed exactly according to the statements of SS-Man Alfred Naujocks before British authorities at the Nuremberg trials.< ...

'' in East Germany. In 1966, he co-directed ''Searching'' with

Antonín Máša Antonín Máša (22 July 1935 – 4 October 2001) was a Czech film director and screenwriter. His movie '' Hotel for Strangers'' competed in Cannes Film Festival. Life Máša was born in Višňová on 22 July 1935. He was a childhood frien ...

Selected filmography

* 1955: '' The Tank Brigade'' * 1958: '' Suburban Romance'' * 1960: '' The White Dove'' * 1961: ''

'' * 1962: ''

Transport from Paradise ''Transport from Paradise'' () is a 1962 Czech drama film directed by Zbyněk Brynych. The film won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival. Cast * Zdeněk Štěpánek as Council of Elders leader David Löwenbach * Ilja ...

'' * 1963: '' Joseph Kilian'' * 1963: '' Something Different'' * 1964: ''

Courage for Every Day ''Courage for Every Day'' () is a 1964 Czechoslovak drama film directed by Evald Schorm. Plot Director Evald Schorm reflects on the changing political tides of his generation in this clear-eyed study of idealism and disillusionment. Jarda (Jan K ...

'' * 1966: ''Searching'' * 1969: '' The Joke'' * 1970: '' Valerie and her Week of Wonders'' * 1972: ''

And Give My Love to the Swallows ''And Give My Love to the Swallows'' () is a 1972 Czech biographical film based on the prison diary from Czech resistance fighter Marie Kudeříková. Cast * Magdaléna Vášáryová Magdaléna Vášáryová (; referred also as Magda Vášár ...

'' * 1973: ''

Lovers in the Year One ''Lovers in the Year One'' () is a 1973 Czechoslovak drama film directed by Jaroslav Balík. It was selected as the Czechoslovak entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 47th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.Margaret Her ...

'' * 1975: ''

The Day That Shook the World ''The Day That Shook the World'' (, lit. ''The Sarajevo Assassination'') is a 1975 Czechoslovak-Yugoslav-German co-production film directed by Veljko Bulajić, starring Christopher Plummer and Florinda Bolkan. The film is about the assassinati ...

'' * 1979: ''

Love Between the Raindrops ''Love Between the Raindrops'' () is a 1980 Czech drama film directed by Karel Kachyňa. The film was selected as the Czechoslovak entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 53rd Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.Margaret H ...

'' * 1984: '' The Nurses''

Awards

* '' Valerie and her Week of Wonders'' – Silver Hugo for Best Color Cinematography at 1971

Chicago International Film Festival The Chicago International Film Festival is an annual film festival held every fall. Founded in 1964 by Michael Kutza, it is the longest-running competitive film festival in North America. Its logo is a stark, black and white close up of the comp ...

* '' The White Dove'' – Medal of the Biennale - Out of Competition at

21st Venice International Film Festival The 21st annual Venice International Film Festival was held from 24 August to 7 September 1960. French writer Marcel Achard was the Jury President for the main competition. The Golden Lion was awarded to '' Tomorrow Is My Turn'' directed Andr� ...

References

External links

*
In Memoriam
{{DEFAULTSORT:Curik, Jan 1924 births 1996 deaths Czech cinematographers Mass media people from Prague