František Vláčil, a significant Czechoslovak film director and screenwriter, was a key figure in the New Wave movement during the 1960s. His contributions to Czechoslovak cinema include masterpieces such as "Marketa Lazarová" and "Valley of the Bees." In 1998, at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, he was recognized for his significant contribution to world cinema.

Set in the Middle Ages, Valley of the Bees (1967) delves into themes of religious fanaticism, the power of dogma, and the desire for freedom. The film explores universal themes of human destiny and the courage to resist the power of the establishment. The lead role is portrayed by the exceptional actor Petr Čepek.