Documentary films
Studio Budíkov manages all the rights to the documentary films of Martin Kratochvíl and films made in co-production. On these pages you will find a list of all the films, including short description and technical parameters. Information on the extent of all rights is available from us on request.
KARAKORAM
(Karakoram Highway, K2 and Baltoro trek, Gilgit and Hunza)
Year of production: 2007
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 3 x 24 min.
Format: DVCAM, Betacam SP, (16:9)
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: Czech, English subtitles, Czech subtitles
A classic three part documentary on Karakoram Range. The first and third part follow the culture, history, religion and every-day life in Baltistan and North Provinces of Pakistan. Hunza and Gilgit are mystical valleys in the upper part of Karakoram Highway. The middle part tells a day by day story of the most beautiful trek of the region. The route follows the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia, a crossroad of four valleys under four most beautiful eight thousand meter high mountains: K2, Gasherbrum I. and II. and Broad Peak. Reinhold Messner and Radek Jaros comment the difficult ascends to K2.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE SNOW LEOPARD
(Poksumdo Lake, Crystal Mountain, Around Dhaulagiri)Year of production: 2007
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 3 x 28 min.
Format: HDV, DVCAM, (16:9)
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: Czech, English subtitles, Czech subtitles
A three part documentary on the expedition to the deserted Dolpo – a far west province of Nepal, inspired by the Peter Matthiessen bestseller Snow Leopard.
The hilly county of Dolpo belonged for centuries to Tibetan Kingdom. In the year 1761 it was annexed to Nepal by Gurkhas. The Tibetan culture, architecture and heritage remain intact in Dolpo, thanks to the absence of Chinese cultural revolution. The important gompas of Dolpo, hardly accessible from all directions, played an important role in Tibetan – Nepali historical relations.
The film deals with the important historical sites as well as with all the difficulties of the hard and distressful journey.
MEDITATION WITH THE DALAJLAMA
(film is copyright Czech Television)
Year of production: 2003
Written and directed by: Jasanský - Gawlik
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 20 min.
Format: DVCAM 16:9
Produced by: Czech television
Language version: Czech
TIBET IN NEPAL
(10 fillers - People of Dolpo 6‘14, Celebration 4‘28, Musicians 3‘13, A Marriage 3‘29, The Square 3‘32, The Market 3‘24, The Temple and offering 4‘38, A Harvest 5‘13, Animals 3‘57, Gompa 5’49)
Year of production: 2008
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: (6’14, 4’28, 3’13, 3’29, 3’32, 3’24, 4’38, 5’13, 3’57, 5’49)
Format: HDV, DVCAM, (16:9)
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: without narration
Romantic pictures taken on the expedition to the far west Nepal and Inner Dolpo. Even in these days you can find a pure Tibetan culture in those distant lands, untouched by the Chinese revolution. The local inhabitants Bhoti live for centuries the same life and rites, in harmony with Gods, people, animals and mountains. The film consists of picture samples into the every-day-life of Tibeteans living in the huge deserted land west from Dhaulagiri and Annapurnas. The short features have no narration; they are just artistic etudes on the music by Martin Kratochvíl.
PASHMINA
(Wool, Government and Influence, Himalayan Caravan Treks, Spiritual and Trade Centers, The Birth of Beauty)
Year of production: 2008
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 4 x 18 min.
Format: HDV, DVCAM, (16:9)
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: Czech, English subtitles, Czech subtitles
Four parts documentary on pashmina wool and its top quality sister shah-tus. To produce and sell shah-tus without very limited license is illegal and may be punished by high prison sentence. An endangered species of chiru antelope must be killed to produce a fine wool from the belly part fur.
The whole process of getting the wool in Buddhist Tibet and Ladakh is observed, together with the fine weaving and ornamental embroidery in Muslim Kashmir. The whole history of wars and an extremely difficult transportation over the main Himalayan ridge stand in the focus of camera. And you can also learn about hard life of caravan trackers, porters, special breed of transportation animals and ancient ways of trans-Himalayan trade.
INDIA AND THE LANDS OF BUDDHISM
13 fillers
Year of production: 2009
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: see above
Format: HDV, DVCAM, (16:9)
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: without narration
In The Steps of Buddha (4‘26“)
China Seeks Superstar (7‘06“)
Seafood (5‘16“)
On The Street of Bódhgaya (4’21)
The Terracotta Army (6‘04“)
A Pilgrimage On Shikoku (6‘50“)
The Big Wedding (4‘49“)
The Women of Bihar (3‘26“)
A Concert On The Sacred Mountain ( 4‘17“)
The Itch For Food (4‘50“)
On The Verge Of The Day (4‘03“)
Varanásí (6‘54“)
By The Ganges Riverside (4‘18“)
An artistic set of 13 thematic features of religious, monumental but also daily-life picturesque locations. The parts have no commentary and are edited onto a flow and rhythm of „ethnic“ music. Each part is strictly monothematic and reflects the hidden chiaro and beauty of Japan, China and the Indian subcontinent.
BHUTAN: SNOWMAN TREK -The world’s most difficult trek
(The Mountain Kingdom, The Archers, Lunana, Final)Year of production: 2009
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 4 x 21‘30“
Format: HDV, DVCAM, (16:9)
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: Czech, English subtitles
The four parts documentary of Snowman Trek in Bhutan Himalayas, considered by many as the most difficult mountain trek ever. 300 km long with the cumulated ascends of nearly 27 km it deserves the name. Together with the notoriously bad weather and physical strain it demands, it became the high standard for trekkers. The film describes all the mishaps of long and strenuous journey along the long ridge of Himalayas. Attention is also paid to the cultural environment, religion and the way people live on such a deserted place. The way small Bhutan is governed and life in the capitol Timphu is also documented.
THE LIFE OF PROPHET
(the standing alone part of The Gods and Prophets series)
Year of production: 2010
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 25‘31“
Format: full HD 1920x1080
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: Czech
One of the three parts on Islam of the Gods and Prophets film series. It describes the terrestrial life of Prophet Muhammad on the background of shooting from the holy places of Islam. The film is narrated by professor Luboš Kropáček, one of the best experts on Muhammad’s life and teachings. Although to picture, even to associate the Prophet by picture, is strictly forbidden in Islam, the filmmakers has brought a fresh movie, ready to address the contemporary political turmoil.
THE PRACTICE OF ISLAM
(the standing alone part of The Gods and Prophets series)Year of production: 2010
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 26‘08“
Format: full HD 1920x1080
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: Czech
One of the three parts on Islam of the Gods and Prophets film series. The instructive documentary on an everyday life of orthodox Muslim, his daily prayers, duties and once-in-a-life pilgrimage to Mecca. The movie is accompanied and narrated by Vladimír Sáňka, a head and director of the Islamic Center in Prague. It tries to remove many prejudices towards Islam by today’s Christian world and eases the tension between the two main Ibrahim religions.
Film odstraňuje mnoho předsudků o islámu a pochopením zvláštností tohoto abrahámovského náboženství pomáhá odstraňovat evropskou xenofobii vůči muslimům.
CONTEMPORARY ISLAM
(the standing alone part of The Gods and Prophets series)Year of production: 2010
Written and directed by: Martin Kratochvíl
Music by: Martin Kratochvíl
Running time: 25‘35“
Format: full HD 1920x1080
Produced by: Studio Budíkov
Language version: Czech
One of the three parts on Islam of the Gods and Prophets film series. A serious attempt to understand the highly actual tension between Islam and the western Christianity. The renown historian, professor Eduard Gombar is explaining the long and complicated history of the coexistence of Islam and other religions. The film crew has extensively travelled the sites of decisive battles of influence. The film also reflects the contemporary conflict of civilizations.
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