Matěj Chlupáček Praises Student Originality at CME Content Academy
The CME Content Academy, renowned for nurturing the next generation of television creators and showrunners, recently welcomed a distinguished guest, director and producer Matěj Chlupáček. At just 30 years old, Chlupáček has already made a significant impact on the Czech film and television industry, co-founding the production company Barletta, which has been behind numerous successful television projects for major Czech broadcasters.
During his two-day teaching stint at the academy, Chlupáček delved deep into the creative process behind one of his most acclaimed projects, the series Iveta. Produced for the Voyo platform, Iveta chronicles the tragic life of singer Iveta Bartošová, with a focus on her struggles with the tabloid press and her eventual suicide. The series has been praised not only for its storytelling but also for its distinct visual style, with each season adopting a unique aesthetic. The first season, set in the 1980s, embraced a colorful, print-inspired style, while the third season, which aired this year, took on a raw, documentary-like approach. Chlupáček highlighted the challenges and ethical considerations in portraying such a sensitive subject, emphasizing the importance of working closely with Bartošová’s family, particularly her son Artur.
Chlupáček also reflected on his other works, including the comedy series To se vysvětlí, soudruzi for Czech Television. While the series received mixed reactions and faced declining viewership, Chlupáček remains proud of the original creative approach it brought to traditional television production.
On the second day of his visit, Chlupáček engaged with students by assigning them a task to develop fictional series ideas based on true-crime themes. Impressed by the creativity and originality of the student projects, he praised their ability to think outside the box and encouraged them to continue pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
Chlupáček’s influence on the Czech film and television scene continues to grow, as evidenced by his recent drama Úsvit, which garnered several nominations for the prestigious Czech Lion award. His return to the Television Institute next year is highly anticipated, as he continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of Czech filmmakers.
-Matěj Škop