The Crossword Puzzle (1990)
A sharp and playful Czech animated short about distraction, desire, and the quiet distances that grow between two people.
The Crossword Puzzle - Movie Information
- Original Title: Křížovka
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Michaela Pavlátová
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation
- Runtime: 5m
- Original Language: Czech
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Production Companies: Krátký film Praha – Studio Bratři v triku
- Production Countries: Czechoslovakia
- Alternative Titles: Crucigrama (ES), The Crossword Puzzle (US), Palabras cruzadas (AR)
The Crossword Puzzle - Plot
A man obsessed with crossword puzzles ignores his wife's desire for intimacy.
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The Crossword Puzzle - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Michaela Pavlátová
Writers
- Michaela Pavlátová
- Miloslav Jágr
Producers
- Dagmar Juráková
The Crossword Puzzle - FAQs
What is The Crossword Puzzle about?
The Crossword Puzzle is a witty Czech animated short from 1990 in which a husband becomes so absorbed in solving crosswords that he completely tunes out his wife's longing for closeness and connection. It's a compact, visually inventive look at emotional neglect wrapped in dry humor.
Who directed The Crossword Puzzle?
The Crossword Puzzle was directed by Michaela Pavlátová, a celebrated Czech animator known for her sharp, witty, and emotionally resonant short films. She went on to earn international recognition, including an Academy Award nomination for her later work.
How long is The Crossword Puzzle?
The Crossword Puzzle runs just 5 minutes, making it a compact animated short. Despite its brief runtime, it delivers a complete and emotionally pointed story about distraction, desire, and the small disconnections that can grow between partners.
Is The Crossword Puzzle Pavlátová's debut short film?
The Crossword Puzzle is one of Michaela Pavlátová's early animated shorts, produced at the legendary Studio Bratři v triku in Prague. It helped establish her distinctive style — playful yet emotionally sharp — which she refined across a celebrated career in Czech animation.
What animation studio produced The Crossword Puzzle?
The film was produced by Krátký film Praha – Studio Bratři v triku, one of Czechoslovakia's most iconic animation studios. Founded in the 1940s, the studio was home to generations of celebrated Czech animators and produced a rich legacy of award-winning short films.
What language is The Crossword Puzzle in?
The Crossword Puzzle contains no spoken dialogue — it tells its story entirely through visuals and animation. This makes it universally accessible regardless of the viewer's language, which is part of what gives the short such broad, timeless appeal.
What are some films similar to The Crossword Puzzle?
If you enjoy The Crossword Puzzle, you might also appreciate other animated shorts and features with a playful or emotional edge, such as Memorable (2019), Dante's Lunch (2017), Far from the Tree (2021), and Ana and Bruno (2017) — all worth exploring for fans of inventive animation.
Who wrote and edited The Crossword Puzzle?
The screenplay was written by Michaela Pavlátová and Miloslav Jágr, while the editing was handled by Gaia Vítková. Cinematography was by Zdeněk Kovář. The film was produced by Dagmar Juráková for Krátký film Praha.
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