Prague in the 1920s and 1930s was a vibrant European metropolis whose influence extended far beyond the borders of Czechoslovakia, drawing people from near and far. At first glance, almost anything seemed possible during the two decades between the founding of the First Czechoslovak Republic in 1918 and the German invasion in March 1939: The city was an international hub for literature, theater, jazz, and dance—boasting galleries and theaters, as well as a vibrant nightlife in bars and variety shows. Josephine Baker comes to the city, which stands on par with New York, Paris, and Berlin. Czech, German, and Jewish artists transform the metropolis on the Moldau River into “Babylon Prague.” But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the cultures of this city existed alongside one another rather than together, separated as if by an invisible wall.
The documentary “Babylon Prague” delves into the bilingual world of Prague’s culture during those two decades, in which Prague artists achieved great things, foremost among them Kafka with his novels and novel fragments. Yet this first decade of the young republic was marked by latent conflicts between Czechs and Germans. Although in the minority, the Germans had wielded great influence under Habsburg rule. Now the Czechs are relegating the formerly dominant minority to second place, which is fueling discontent. And so, time and again, conflicts arise, driven by nationalism—the unfortunate legacy of the 19th century.
Premiere: October 8, 2026, on ARTE
Authors: Vít Poláček, Matthias Schmidt
Director: Petr Slavík
DOP: Michal Černý
Editor: Vladimír Bezděk
Commissioning Editors: Peter Allenbacher (ZDF), Wolfgang Bergmann (ZDF), Markéta Režová (ČT), Stefanie Simpkins (ORF), Sharon Nuni (ORF)
Creative Producer: Jiří Hubač (ČT)
Producers 3B: Bernhard von Hülsen, Maria Willer
A coproduction of ZDF, Česká televise, ORF and 3B-Produktion in collaboration with ARTE
