A Tribute to Jan Nemec: By Vincent Shkreli

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Czech Filmmaker Jan Nemec went up against the Communist censors and created some of the greatest films of the Czech New Wave.

[@SRBlair]

I produced and edited a film that Jan directed in San Francisco in 1989. He had originally been hired to direct a documentary film about poet Czeslaw Milosz, who was teaching at the time at the University of California in Berkeley. I had been editing another film in the office next to where Jan was working in SF, and we soon became friends. The original producer died of cancer amidst the production, and Jan asked me to work with him on the project. Let me say that it was a pleasure and an honor to work with Jan for those 6 months. He was an "original", a man who loved Czechoslavakia, loved Miloš Forman for helping him come to America, and loved his work. We also took great pride in the Milosz film - being able to spend lots of time with this Nobel winning poet. The portrayal of Jan by Vincent Shkreli during this time was not the Jan Nemec that I knew. I guess he made this up to make himself sound cool. It's unfortunate that he did not do more research before he make this puff piece. Jan would have rolled over in his grave if he would have read this. Vincent - good idea....not good execution. I'll give you a C.

[@MPFilmsNY]

What was it about Nemec's character did I get wrong? You offered no specifics. I never said he disliked Czechoslovakia, he loved his country but was blacklisted and threatened by the regime. He had difficulty getting work in the Untied States, which he himself said. And yes, I did an immensity of research. I won't put something in a piece if I find it to be untrue. If you are so offended or mad why don't you make a documentary on Nemec instead of complaining on the internet to someone who made one. I give you an F on your lame and smug critique.

[@AestheticOfTheImage]

You may have worked with Němec - great kudos for that - (I would love to know more of your anecdotes) but this does not excuse your entirely irrational diatribe against this well-meaning young man (Vincent Shkreli) who is quite obviously doing the very best he can to share his enthusiasm about Němec... I certainly learned quite a lot from this video, though so far I have only watched two films by the director so am by no means an expert and don't really know what is true or not true about Němec. You talk about Vincent Shkreli making things up to sound 'cool' - but what is indubitably Not Cool is bad manners... You would probably be horrified by the 'puff' quotient of my little world cinema based channel (kzbin.info/door/xI2hHaqw8drxUQ3oVb1iKA) where I feature a few clips by Němec and add a few observations of my own (I am certainly less informed than Vincent Shkreli.) You should apologise in my opinion to this individual. I would still like to hear more of your recollections of Němec as you worked with him. (Perhaps you could make a video?)

[@sky44david]

This is an excellent documentation of a great and yet relatively not recognized filmmaker. You are brave enough to expose the hypocrisy or misguided idealism of Godard that few in film historical canons would ever take on. Thanks for honoring Jan Nemec and the human spirit.

[@MPFilmsNY]

Thank you very much! Hopefully in the near future he will be properly recognized and revered as one of the greats in film history. With the way things are currently going, one would have to be convinced that his work is even more important now than before. Thank you again for the kind words.

[@nikoskoumpetsos9765]

bravo