Zlín Film Pioneers: The Journey of Puppetry from Hermína Týrlová to the Present

Kristina
Dufková

(1978, Czech Republic) Selected filmography: A Tear Is Needed (Usnula jsem, 2008), About Mum and Dad (Povídání o mamince a tatínkovi, 2016), Grim Reaper Does Not Bite (Zubatá nekouše!, 2019), Living Large (Život k sežrání, 2024)

Zlín is one of the places where the puppet was transformed from a visual art object into a fully-fledged film character. It was in the Zlín studios that Hermína Týrlová developed her unique art of bringing not only traditional puppets and toys to life, but also seemingly ordinary objects, imbuing them with emotion, movement, and personality. Her poetic, playful, and technically innovative work laid the foundations of an exceptionally strong tradition that continues through successive generations of filmmakers to this day. The discussion will show how the role of the puppet in film has evolved over time—from the pioneering work of Hermína Týrlová to contemporary auteur approaches represented by director Kristina Dufková.

A unique program that brings the renowned Zlín film history to life and confronts it with the present. It highlights the areas in which Zlín filmmakers were true pioneers and shows how their approach resonates in today’s work. The sessions offer a lively connection between past and present in a light and accessible format—through dialogue with contemporary creators. The series of talks is held on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Zlín film studios.