GENUS (1995)
A landmark Czech documentary series capturing 99 intimate biographical portraits of the most remarkable personalities in Czech cultural and public life.
GENUS - Series Information
- Original Title: GENUS
- First Air Year: 1995
- Last Air Year: 1996
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (14 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 99
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Czech
- Spoken Languages: Czech
- Networks: ČT1
- Production Companies: Febio
- Production Countries: Czech Republic
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GENUS - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Eduard Haken
- Ljuba Hermanová
- Olbram Zoubek
- Gustav Brom
- Miroslav Plzák
- Ilja Hurník
- František Vláčil
- Jaroslav Foglar
- Miloš Kopecký
- Jiří Hanzelka
Writers
- Jan Špáta
- Olga Sommerová
- Helena Třeštíková
- Matej Mináč
- Hana Pinkavová
GENUS - FAQs
Who are the notable subjects featured in GENUS?
GENUS profiles an extraordinary range of Czech personalities, including opera singer Eduard Haken, legendary long-distance runner Emil Zátopek, beloved children's author Jaroslav Foglar, sculptor Olbram Zoubek, jazz bandleader Gustav Brom, and filmmaker František Vláčil, among many others across 99 episodes.
What is GENUS about?
GENUS is a Czech documentary series that presents short biographical portraits of significant figures from Czech cultural, artistic, scientific, and public life. Each episode runs roughly 14 minutes and offers an intimate look at personalities who shaped Czech society during the twentieth century.
How many episodes does GENUS have?
GENUS comprises 99 episodes across its single season, making it an unusually extensive documentary portrait series. Each episode is approximately 14 minutes long, allowing for focused, intimate biographical sketches of individual Czech personalities broadcast on ČT1 between 1995 and 1996.
Where can viewers watch GENUS today?
GENUS is a niche Czech documentary series from the mid-1990s, and international streaming availability is limited. Your best starting point is JustWatch, which aggregates regional streaming and rental options. Czech public broadcaster ČT1 archives may also offer access to episodes for viewers in the Czech Republic.
Who directed and wrote episodes of GENUS?
GENUS brought together a remarkable team of Czech documentary filmmakers. Writers and directors include Jan Špáta, Olga Sommerová, Helena Třeštíková, Matej Mináč, Jan Hřebejk, and Martin Štoll, among others — several of whom went on to become celebrated figures in Czech documentary and feature filmmaking.
Is GENUS a biographical documentary series?
Absolutely. GENUS is structured entirely around biography, with each episode devoted to a single Czech personality. The series functions as a living archive of twentieth-century Czech culture, capturing artists, athletes, scientists, and intellectuals in candid, personal portraits that preserve their voices and stories for future generations.
What language is GENUS filmed in?
GENUS is filmed entirely in Czech, reflecting its origins as a domestic production for Czech public television. The series was produced by Febio and broadcast on ČT1, making it a distinctly Czech cultural document with limited dubbed or subtitled versions available for international audiences.
What are similar documentary series to GENUS?
If GENUS appeals to you, consider exploring American Masters, American Experience, or Biography for similarly portrait-driven documentary storytelling. For Czech and Central European context, Generálové and Matej Mináč's broader documentary work offer comparable depth. Baseball by Ken Burns shares GENUS's commitment to preserving cultural memory through intimate biography.
More About GENUS
Explore further details about GENUS through these authoritative external resources.