Jana Boková
Encyclopedia
Jana Boková is a Czech film director.
Boková was born in Prague
, but left Czechoslovakia
in August 1968 to attend a conference of art students in Austria, then emigrated to Paris
, France
to study at the Sorbonne
. She then lived in the United States
where she worked as a photographer for Rolling Stone and other magazines. She then lived in the United Kingdom for many years, studying at the National Film and Television School
, and producing documentary films for British television.
She wrote and directed the 1986 drama film Hôtel du Paradis
, which was shown out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival
in 1987.
In 2001, Boková was approached by musician Eric Clapton
to direct a music video, but ended up filming a feature length documentary film called Eric Clapton and Friends which covered Clapton's band's rehearsals and preparations for a world tour.
In 2003, the Cinémathèque Française
hosted a complete retrospective of Boková's work.
Her most recent film, Bye Bye Shanghai (2008), examines the concept of "exile" as it relates to Czech émigré
s including herself.
Boková currently lives in Buenos Aires
, Argentina
from 1970 to 1979. One of her films, Love is Like a Violin (1976), recorded the collaboration and improvisation process of Whitten's British-based community theatre company Common Stock.
Boková was born in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, but left Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in August 1968 to attend a conference of art students in Austria, then emigrated to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to study at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
. She then lived in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where she worked as a photographer for Rolling Stone and other magazines. She then lived in the United Kingdom for many years, studying at the National Film and Television School
National Film and Television School
The National Film and Television School was established in 1971 and is based at Beaconsfield Studios in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, and it is located close to Pinewood Studios.-History:...
, and producing documentary films for British television.
She wrote and directed the 1986 drama film Hôtel du Paradis
Hôtel du Paradis
Hôtel du Paradis is a 1986 French drama film directed by Jana Boková. It was screened out of competition at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Carola Regnier – Sarah* Fernando Rey – Joseph* Marika Rivera – Marika* Artus de Penguern – Patric...
, which was shown out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 1987.
In 2001, Boková was approached by musician Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
to direct a music video, but ended up filming a feature length documentary film called Eric Clapton and Friends which covered Clapton's band's rehearsals and preparations for a world tour.
In 2003, the Cinémathèque Française
Cinémathèque Française
The Cinémathèque Française holds one of the largest archives of films, movie documents and film-related objects in the world. Located in Paris, the Cinémathèque holds daily screenings of films from around the world.-History:...
hosted a complete retrospective of Boková's work.
Her most recent film, Bye Bye Shanghai (2008), examines the concept of "exile" as it relates to Czech émigré
Émigré
Émigré is a French term that literally refers to a person who has "migrated out", but often carries a connotation of politico-social self-exile....
s including herself.
Boková currently lives in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Personal life
Boková was married to the New Zealand actor Frank WhittenFrank Whitten
Frank Edgar Richard Whitten was a New Zealand television actor. He was more recently known for playing Ted "Grandpa" West in the New Zealand television show Outrageous Fortune.-Life and career:...
from 1970 to 1979. One of her films, Love is Like a Violin (1976), recorded the collaboration and improvisation process of Whitten's British-based community theatre company Common Stock.