Jan Švankmajer is a filmmaker that many of us either know of or have seen movies that were influenced by his works. A master of surrealism and stop motion, movies like Little Otik and Alice have astounded and bedazzled audiences while his shorts have influenced household names like Terry Gilliam and the Quay Brothers.
Right now, the Czech filmmaker is raising funds for what will be his final movie, Insects. The film will be made with his longtime producing partner Jaromír Kallista.
“A local pub in a small town. It’s Monday and the bar is closed, chairs are turned up on the tables. The pub is empty except for six amateur actors sitting in a corner. They’ve met to rehearse “The Insect Play” by the Čapek brothers. On a raised platform across the room we see a stage, set for Act II of the play. As the rehearsal progresses, the characters of the play are born and die with no regard to time. The actors slowly become one with them and some of them experience frightening transformations…”
Below is a video of esteemed director Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth, Blade II, Pacific Rim) talking about the importance of Švankmajer and of helping fund this film.
You can support Švankmajer’s campaign via Indiegogo.