May 6, 2020 — Once seen, the opening credits of Juraj Herz’s pitch-black satire The Cremator (1969) are not soon forgotten. At the beginning of the handcrafted, collage-style sequence, a still close-up of the protagonist’s head, from the eyes up, takes over the screen,...

Apr 22, 2020 — One of the true dark glories of the Czechoslovak New Wave, The Cremator (Spalovač mrtvol, 1969) is the most popular and indelible work by the underappreciated Juraj Herz and remained a firm favorite of the director’s among his many films....

The acclaimed actor shares his affection for the dark humor of The Cremator, credits Benicio del Toro with introducing him to the films of Kaneto Shindo, and praises Mexican-cinema classics like Canoa: A Shameful Memory and Amores perros.

Sep 26, 2025 — The week brings a celebration of restorationists and the new and younger audiences showing up to see their work.

Apr 24, 2020 — The range this week stretches from silent Soviet classics through Hollywood’s heyday and the Czech New Wave to the revolutions of the late twentieth century.

Apr 5, 2024 — Léa Seydoux is the star of the week, and we’re also reading about Marguerite Duras, Juraj Herz, and Kinuyo Tanaka.

Aug 9, 2019 — This week we’re revisiting the work of Ida Lupino, Nicholas Cage, Juraj Herz, Spike Jonze, and more.

May 8, 2019 — New restorations premiering in Cannes and Karlovy Vary and series in New York and London testify to our ongoing fascination.

Apr 19, 2019 — In the spotlight this week: A new resource on avant-garde cinema, Kent Jones on Francis Ford Coppola, Darren Hughes on Claire Denis, and more.

Oct 24, 2025 — We’re revisiting work by Ken Russell, Chantal Akerman, Billy Wilder, and Abel Ferrara.