Jan Budar – Actor, Filmmaker, Writer

Jan Budař – Actor, Filmmaker, Writer

Biography
Jan Budař is a renowned Czech actor, writer, and filmmaker with over 20 years of experience in European cinema. Known for his emotionally nuanced performances and his ability to bring depth and authenticity to a wide range of roles, Jan has become a beloved figure in the Czech film industry and beyond.

His career began in the late 1990s, and he quickly gained recognition for his roles in films such as Up and Down (directed by Jan Hřebejk), which was featured at the Cannes Film Festival, and Boredom in Brno, for which he won the Czech Lion Award for Best Actor. His performances have captivated audiences in both dramatic and comedic roles, with a talent for portraying deeply complex characters.

Jan is also an accomplished writer and director. His latest book, Snílek (2021), explores themes of introspection, life choices, and the power of dreams—blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The novel has been well received for its poetic style and philosophical depth. In addition to his acting and writing, Jan is an accomplished musician, bringing his passion for music into many of his projects.

A fluent English speaker, Jan is eager to expand his career internationally, seeking new challenges and collaborations in global film and television projects. Whether on the big screen or in smaller, intimate productions, Jan’s versatility as an actor, storyteller, and creative force makes him an exciting talent for international audiences.

Notable Works

Boredom in Brno (Czech Lion Award – Best Actor)
Up and Down (Cannes Film Festival Selection)
The Burning Bush (dir.: Agnieszka Holland)
Snílek (Author & Novelist)
Prince Mama’s Boy (Director and Writer)

Interviews / entrevistas

El idioma como movimiento. Entrevista con Jan Budař

Jan Budar: “Los creadores extraemos la creatividad como si fuésemos antiguos buscadores de oro”

***

Jan es magnífico, es alguien mitad del cine mudo norteamericano, mitad Tintin, tiene algo muy especial, parece un personaje salido de una película de Chaplin, o de Jacques Tati. Me encanta Jan Budar, su cuerpo, su voz, su trabajo desde la reducción. A él le gusta mucho el trabajo desde el despojamiento. Jan es guionista y músico y la música está en su forma de moverse. En mi cine el sonido tiene mucha importancia, pero es un sonido anclado también en el mudo, por la música que hay detrás de las imágenes y los cuerpos. Jan es un excelente bailarín, y un gran pianista, y todo eso se ve en su forma de trabajar.

Jan is magnificent, he is someone who is half an american silent film, half Tintin, he has something very special, he looks like a character out of a Chaplin movie, or Jacques Tati… I love Jan Budar, his body, his voice, his work from reduction. He really likes the work from the stripping. Jan is a screenwriter and musician and music is in his way of moving. In my cinema, sound is very important, but it is a sound also anchored in the silent, by the music behind the images and bodies. Jan is an excellent dancer, and a great pianist, and all of this can be seen in the way he works.

(Javier Rebollo un director de „La Mujer Sin Piano“)