Marie Dvorakova

How did you get into directing?
I was always fascinated by other people’s stories, their behavior, small situations or gestures one observes at home or on the street. And I could not resist the idea of recreating these on film, which is why I ended up going to study film directing at the renowned Prague Film & TV School—FAMU.

What is your most recent project?
Taking place in the Cistercian Monastery in the heart of Europe, On the Wall is a short comedic film about a young man’s forbidden love affair with the natural world. We are introducing the unseen world of microorganisms and their relationship with humans in a fascinating way—using real action, microscopic photography and digital animation. This project will be executed in collaboration with Center of Advanced Digital Applications at NYU.

What is the best part of being a director?
That I can officially still keep playing even as a grown up without my parents reminding me that there is a time to go to sleep.

Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons)
and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates most with you?
Mr. Jan Spata, renowned Czech documentary film director and cinematographer, my professor at Prague Film School-FAMU. I will never forget his comment he was often giving in the editing room: “Cut it short.”

Who is your favorite director and why?
There many of them, but Krzysztof Kieslowski would be probably one on the top of the list. I admire the mood he created in his films. The subtlety of acting and expressions. The way he works with symbols, with colors.

What is your favorite movie? Your favorite commercial?
There are many films I love to watch over and over again. For example: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.  Out of the commercials it would be: Stella Artois TV ads (“Last Orders,” “Priests,” “Pilot”).

Tell use about your background (i.e. Where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
I was born in Czech Republic, former Czechoslovakia. I graduated in documentary film directing from renowned Prague Film School-FAMU. Four years ago I was awarded Dean’s Fellowship to come and study film directing at the graduate film program at Tisch School of the Arts, NYU. So here I am.

Contact

dvorakova_marie@yahoo.com