Athanor: The Alchemical Furnace is a compelling and playful documentary on the work and life of one of the masters of cinema, Jan Švankmajer, whose surrealist blend of stop motion, live action and puppetry within his films has made him one of the most revered auteurs of Czech cinema.

Filmed over the course of three years and visually reminiscent of Švankmajer’s distinct style, Athanor: The Alchemical Furnace is a touching ode to Švankmajer’s creative and childlike spirit. Chronicling his singular artistic process at his film studio Athanor and collaging the important aspects of his life, his artistic principles and close collaborators together create a definitive portrait of one of the most influential Czech filmmakers of all time.