Josef Urban, a distinguished alumnus of Charles University's prestigious Faculty of Science, where he pursued a rigorous academic program in engineering geology and hydrogeology, embarked on a remarkable journey of creative expression after successfully concluding the "Czech Rafting" project, an ambitious and groundbreaking exploratory endeavor that aimed to meticulously map the deepest, most awe-inspiring canyons on our planet.
Urban, a seasoned athlete with a distinguished background as a former national white-water kayak team member, has made a significant impact in the literary and film industries. His travelogue, aptly titled The Deepest Valley of the World, was published in 1998, offering readers a captivating account of his personal experiences. Concurrently, Urban's inaugural authorial film, The Testament, premiered the same year, garnering widespread acclaim and ultimately winning a prestigious main award at the IFF of Mountaineering Films in Teplice.
Noteworthy is the cinematic endeavour that chronicles the inaugural solo journey of Urban down the untamed Nepalese river, specifically the Buri Gandaki, a majestic watercourse.
Urban joined forces with Dan Krzywon to create a documentary drama that honored the 80th anniversary of the Munich Agreement, a pivotal moment in history. This collaborative project allowed them to delve into the complexities of international diplomacy and its impact on global events.
In the year 2007, a feature-length motion picture was unveiled, boasting a narrative and script penned by the illustrious Urban, with direction courtesy of the visionary Filip Renc. This cinematic masterpiece was a direct adaptation of Urban's novel and screenplay, aptly titled At One's Own Risk.
Fast-forwarding to 2010, another cinematic endeavor was brought to the big screen, courtesy of the esteemed Juraj Herz, whose creative vision was fueled by Urban's literary prowess. This film, titled Habermann's Mill, was a testament to the symbiotic relationship between Urban's storytelling and Herz's visual mastery, with both the screenplay and novel serving as the foundation for this cinematic triumph.
Urban delved deeper into the complexities of the Sudeten theme, tackling another ambitious project, 7 Days of Sins, under the direction of the esteemed Jiri Chlumsky. This feature-length endeavor garnered widespread recognition, claiming multiple prestigious foreign awards, including the coveted Slovak Igriz Award, as well as an accolade at the esteemed International War Film Festival in Volokolamsk.
Urban's literary masterpiece, "Once upon a Time in Paradise", was proudly published by The Albatros in 2015, delving into the captivating narrative of Joska Smitko, a renowned climber whose life was tragically cut short by the Nazi regime in the final days of World War II.
In the year 2018, the renowned author, Urban, released a remarkable literary work, aptly titled "The Dog Thief", which comprised a diverse collection of short stories, each meticulously crafted to showcase the extraordinary bond between a human and a canine companion.
This captivating compilation of tales, beautifully illustrated by the acclaimed painter Marko Cermak, a member of the esteemed Rapid Arrows Club, masterfully weaves together ten thrilling adventure stories that celebrate the unwavering strength and resilience of the relationship between a dog and its human counterpart.
Through these vivid and immersive narratives, Urban skillfully explores the complexities of this unique bond, transporting readers to a world where the lines between human and animal are blurred, and the power of love, loyalty, and companionship is put to the test.
The Dog Thief is a testament to Urban's remarkable storytelling abilities, as he masterfully crafts a world that is both fantastical and relatable, inviting readers to embark on a journey that will leave them in awe of the unbreakable spirit of the human-canine connection.
Urban's most recent literary endeavour, Return to Valbone, underwent a transformative process that began in 2016, when he embarked on a journey to the distant land of Albania, with a specific destination in mind - the majestic Prokletije mountain range, which has been shrouded in mystery since the disappearance of three Czech students in the year 2001.
