From the centre to the attic: One World comes alive in Prague’s neighbourhoods

Prague Echoes bring a selection of films from the One World festival to more remote parts of the capital. This year, it takes place at seven venues in total – alongside traditional locations such as KC Půda in Suchdol, Kino Kavalírka, Modřany Cinema, Velký Mlýn in Libeň, and the Pod Normou Community Hall in Vinoř, it is newly expanding to Kolovraty and Klánovice.

“Either people from these areas found the festival themselves, or we approached them. We were looking for places that are active and eager to organise cultural programmes,” explains the festival’s Executive Director Lenka Lovicarová. Ideally, she says, a venue has its own cinema, but that is not essential. “For example, in Kolovraty they screen films in a community centre. What mattered to us was bringing the festival beyond Prague’s centre.”

Participating venues choose from the same film packages as regional cinemas, including programmes for schools. This year’s standout titles include Cuba&Alaska, Dangerous Games: Roblox and the Metaverse Exposed, and Dear Tomorrow.

Discussions are an essential part of the screenings. “Whenever a venue wants to host screenings as part of the festival, we always recommend accompanying the film with a discussion. They can either find guests themselves, or we’re happy to help,” adds Lenka Lovicarová.

Suchdol: Documentary has a tradition here

“We were the first place where Prague Echoes began. We knew One World from attending the festival ourselves and wanted others to have the chance to see these films too. So we basically begged for it,” smiles Věra Štěpánková from the Suchdol Sobě association, adding that One World documentaries allow people to glimpse lives they wouldn’t normally encounter.

Suchdol has a long-standing focus on documentary films. Screenings take place regularly every month as part of the Kino sousedům (Cinema for Neighbours) project. Thanks to this, they know their audience well and tailor the programme accordingly. “We want the programme to be diverse so that everyone can find something that speaks to them.”

Accessibility also plays an important role. “It’s easier for people to step out of their homes and reach the local town hall within minutes than to travel to the centre of Prague,” she explains.

Great emphasis is also placed on discussions. This year’s highlights include a debate following State of Firsts with reporter David Miřejovský (20 April), and a discussion on Dear Tomorrow featuring Japanologist and psychologist Dita Sálová and Japanese guest Namiko Sakamoto (27 March).

Screenings take place at the Půda community centre in the town hall building, but this year one event will also be held in a unique setting at the cemetery, in Galerie Zázemí (28 March). In Suchdol, as in Kolovraty, there is also strong interest from schools. “Children have been coming to us from the very first grade,” adds Štěpánková.

Kolovraty: Showing how people live elsewhere

This year, Prague Echoes are coming to Kolovraty for the first time thanks to a local initiative. “One resident who screens One World films throughout the year approached us and asked whether we’d like to join,” explains Magda Knappová, Head of Communications in Kolovraty.

Screenings take place at the Na Půdě Community Centre, which has a capacity of around 50 seats. While this means a smaller space, it also creates a more intimate experience. Feedback so far has been very positive, especially from schools. “For children and their teachers, it’s much more convenient to come here than to travel with a whole class to the city centre,” she says.

Here too, the public programme is complemented by discussions with experts. For the film Deaf, deaf linguist Radka Nováková and educator Lucie Štádlerová will attend (21 March), while In the Belly of AI will be followed by a discussion with lawyer Petra Dolejšová (22 March).

For the organisers themselves, this year’s edition is a valuable experience. “I’ve known this festival for a long time as a viewer. Now I’m glad that our district is also part of Prague Echoes. One World films are not just about human rights, but about understanding how people live elsewhere and what challenges they face,” concludes Magda Knappová.

Author: Šárka Loukotová

Photo: Archive One World Praha-Kolovraty