Comments

Creating a top ten list of greatest films poses an impossible challenge. It forces the queried parties to not simply to identify the greatest films, but rather to promote an agenda regarding which films should be considered great and therefore what kind of films we should make, watch and promote within our cultures. As the dean of the Czech film school, I feel obliged to promote two agendas: 1) advocating Czech films, since cinema has been essential part of Czech culture for over the last century; 2) recognising the masters who have created the horizon that provokes and inspires our students. I have asked some of my colleagues for help, but even with their assistance, finalising a list of ten has been a cruel exercise of exclusion. With great omissions (and with a preoccupation with the past), here is a list of films that should be recognised for their greatness.