The new film Girl America (Amerikánka) by director Viktor Tauš is one of the most original Czech works in recent years. From the very first minutes, it pulls the viewer into a strange, visually mesmerizing world that balances between memory and reality. The story of a girl growing up in a children’s home during the communist era, dreaming of escaping to America to find her father, is not told in a realistic way. Instead, it is presented as what Tauš himself calls a “historical film of emotions.”
The movie is built from fragments, dreamlike images, and colorful collages, evoking comparisons to Wes Anderson, yet with a distinctly Czech identity. With VHS aesthetics, fragmented editing, surreal flashbacks, and playful sequences, the film shows that a memory is not a historical fact, but an emotional imprint. Some scenes are absurd, others poetic, others painfully raw – together forming a truly unique cinematic experience. 
Girl America is certainly not for everyone. It demands an attentive viewer who is willing to search for meaning beyond the images and accept that the narrative does not follow a conventional structure. For some, it may feel confusing or exhausting; for others, it will be a feast for the eyes and the soul. 
The performances are a major strength. Nine-year-old Klara Kitto is absolutely breathtaking, while Pavlina Beretova as the narrator adds another emotional layer. The stunning cinematography by Martin Douba and the imaginative production design by Jan Kadlec earned recognition at the Czech Lion Awards as well as from Czech film critics. 
The film’s uniqueness is also reflected in its many awards and nominations – including wins for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress. With this project, Viktor Tauš has firmly established himself as a filmmaker unafraid to go deep, offering audiences an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. 
Girl America (Amerikánka) does not look at the past through facts, but through emotions. And it’s up to you whether it leaves you awestruck or unsettled by its intensity. Either way – it is unforgettable.
"I am a rock! I am a cliff! I am a force you cannot break," declares the heroine of this excellent new Czech film Girl America (Amerikánka).
