Actress [screening + Q&A w/ Iva Janžurová]

A special screening of a new documentary capturing the defining moments of Iva Janžurová’s professional and personal life. In Actress, Theodora Remundová presents an intimate, witty, and moving portrait of a legendary actress, who is also her mother.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Iva Janžurová and Theodora Remundová.

Actress / dir. Theodora Remundová / 2024 / documentary / Czechia, Slovakia / Czech with English subtitles / 110 minutes

This documentary offers a deeply personal portrait of Iva Janžurová—an icon of Czech film, television, and theater—through the sensitive lens of her daughter, filmmaker Theodora Remundová. Their unique closeness allows the director to capture her mother’s world with rare intimacy, revealing not only Janžurová’s remarkable current work but also her rich career and personal story in historical context.

The film blends an observational style with playful reenactments, bringing to life photographs from Janžurová’s childhood and key moments from her past. We return to important places and relationships, private correspondence, and the films and stage roles that shaped her legacy. Alongside this, her experiences of romantic, marital, and maternal love emerge as the emotional foundation for her lifelong passion for acting, illuminating her thoughtful, disciplined approach to the craft.

At the heart of the film is Janžurová’s remarkable “ordinariness”—her natural warmth and accessibility despite her celebrated status. Whether performing in remote villages of the Czech Republic and Slovakia or on the stage of the National Theatre, she remains deeply connected to her audiences. The film presents a woman embraced by both Czech and Slovak publics, through the unforgettable roles she has brought to life.

In 2024, the documentary was selected for the Out of the Past section of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

DISCLAIMER

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