Jana Brejchová, a legend and femme fatale of Czech cinema, dies at 86

Jana Brejchová, one of the most prominent figures of Czech post-war cinema, has died at the age of 86. With her striking looks and natural talent, she became one of the most sought-after actresses from the late 1950s onwards. Dubbed the “Czech Bardot”, she worked with leading directors such as Vojtěch Jasný, Jiří Krejčík and Evald Schorm, and appeared in around a hundred film and television productions, including Vyšší princip (Higher Principle), Vlčí jáma (The Wolf Pit) and Kráska v nesnázích (Beauty in Trouble). Despite international success, she remained modest and self-critical. Her career earned her numerous awards, including two Czech Lions and a state honour for her contribution to culture.