11 Facts About Karel Zeman

Karel Zeman was a Czech film director, artist, production designer and animator, best known for directing fantasy films combining live-action footage with animation.

Karel Zeman then returned to his home country, after visiting Egypt, Yugoslavia, and Greece.

Back in Czechoslovakia, Karel Zeman advertised for Czech firms like Bata and Tatra.

In 1939 he attempted to make an extended stay in Casablanca, but was barred by the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia established by Nazi Germany; unable to get the necessary papers in time, Karel Zeman was required to remain in his home country during the German occupation of Czechoslovakia.

At the studio, Karel Zeman worked as an assistant to the pioneering animator Hermina Tyrlova, and in 1945 he became the director of the stop-motion animation production group.

Karel Zeman then went on to solo work, including a series of satirical cartoon shorts starring a puppet called Mr Prokouk; the series was a wide success and the character became a Czech favorite.

In 1952, Karel Zeman completed his first feature film, Poklad ptaciho ostrova.

Karel Zeman was a member of the jury at the 2nd Moscow International Film Festival in 1961 and at the 7th Moscow International Film Festival in 1971.

Karel Zeman died in Gottwaldov on 5 April 1989, a few months before the Velvet Revolution.

The film historian Georges Sadoul identified Karel Zeman as having "widened the horizons of the eighth art, animation," adding:.

Karel Zeman undoubtedly brings the old master to mind, not only because he is an artisan impassioned by art, creating his "innocent inventions" with infinite patience rather than with large budgets, but because of his ingenuous and always ingenious fantasies.