Once Upon a Time at Barrandov

What was it like to create films under constant political pressure?

Once Upon a Time at Barrandov offers a firsthand biographical account of life inside Prague's legendary Barrandov Film Studios during one of the most turbulent periods in Czechoslovak history. Set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the book follows the daily routines, professional challenges, and creative constraints faced by those working in the film industry as the Prague Spring, Soviet invasion, and political "normalization" reshaped cultural life.

Through dated entries and detailed observations, the narrative captures the realities of filmmaking under censorship, where artistic ambition collided with ideology and survival often depended on discretion, adaptability, and quiet perseverance. The book provides rare insight into the inner workings of Barrandov Studios while grounding its story in real historical events that defined Cold War era Central Europe.

Blending film history with biographical nonfiction, Once Upon a Time at Barrandov will appeal to readers interested in European cinema, Cold War history, and true accounts of creative life under authoritarian rule.