Petr Schulhoff

Born

1922-07-10

Died

1986-05-04

Birthplace

Berlin, German Empire [now Germany]

Biography

Petr Schulhoff was a Czech film director, screenwriter, and actor, recognized for his contributions to Czechoslovak cinema. Born in Berlin to the Czech-Jewish composer and pianist Ervín Schulhoff, he moved to Czechoslovakia during his youth. During World War II, Schulhoff and his father were interned in the Wülzburg concentration camp, where his father died of tuberculosis. This traumatic experience profoundly affected Schulhoff's life and work. After the war, he began his career in the film industry, initially working as an assistant director and screenwriter. He directed several notable films, including I Killed Einstein, Gentlemen (1970) and The Murderer Hides His Face (1966), which showcased his versatility in blending comedy and crime genres. Schulhoff's films often reflected the social and political climate of his time, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of Czechoslovakia. He passed away in Prague in 1986.