Jan Švankmajer Biography

Jan Švankmajer is a filmmaker whose artistic development was shaped by an early encounter with puppet theater and studies at Prague's art schools. His early theatrical work in Prague's Semafor and Laterna Magika theaters was reflected in his film debut. Under the influence of theorist Vratislav Effenberger, he transitioned to surrealism, which became characteristic of his later work. Švankmajer is known for his distinctive stop-motion style, creating unsettling, nightmare-inducing, yet humorous imagery.