Il Boemo, a biopic on 18th-century composer Josef Myslivecek, from director Petr Václav (The Way Out) took the top prize, for best Czech Film, at the 2023 Czech Lions awards.
The period drama, about the forgotten composer, was a frontrunner going into the Lions, as the Czech Republic’s official Oscar contender (it wasn’t nominated). In the end, Il Boemo won six Czech Lions, including best director for Vaclav and honors for best set design, costumes and makeup. Accepting the best film trophy, Il Boemo producer Jan Macola, thanked writer-director Václav for spending 12 years working on the project.
Il Boemo premiered in competition at the 70th San Sebastian film festival last year.
Michal Kern took best actor honors for his performance in Arved, another period biopic about a forgotten figure from Czech history, from director Vojtech Masek. In the drama, Kern plays Jiri Arved Smichovsky, a Czech occultist and Nazi collaborator.
The period drama, about the forgotten composer, was a frontrunner going into the Lions, as the Czech Republic’s official Oscar contender (it wasn’t nominated). In the end, Il Boemo won six Czech Lions, including best director for Vaclav and honors for best set design, costumes and makeup. Accepting the best film trophy, Il Boemo producer Jan Macola, thanked writer-director Václav for spending 12 years working on the project.
Il Boemo premiered in competition at the 70th San Sebastian film festival last year.
Michal Kern took best actor honors for his performance in Arved, another period biopic about a forgotten figure from Czech history, from director Vojtech Masek. In the drama, Kern plays Jiri Arved Smichovsky, a Czech occultist and Nazi collaborator.
- 3/6/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LA-based distribution company Myriad Pictures has picked up international rights to Zátopek, the Czech Republic’s 2021 Oscar Entry. The film has also sold in the US to Gravitas Ventures.
The deal was negotiated between John McGrath of UTA, on behalf of the producers, and Scott Bedno, Senior Vice President of Sales & Acquisitions at Myriad Pictures
Zátopek follows the story of four-time Olympic champion Emil Zátopek. It is the seventh film by prolific Czech director David Ondříček.
The film stars Václav Neužil (Dabing Street), Martha Issová (Dukla 61), and Australian James Frecheville. Zátopek dominated the 2022 Czech film awards with eight wins, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.
Director David Ondříček said: “When we premiered Zátopek at Karlovy Vary Festival in 2021, the response from audiences and international critics was so strong that we knew we had a film that...
The deal was negotiated between John McGrath of UTA, on behalf of the producers, and Scott Bedno, Senior Vice President of Sales & Acquisitions at Myriad Pictures
Zátopek follows the story of four-time Olympic champion Emil Zátopek. It is the seventh film by prolific Czech director David Ondříček.
The film stars Václav Neužil (Dabing Street), Martha Issová (Dukla 61), and Australian James Frecheville. Zátopek dominated the 2022 Czech film awards with eight wins, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.
Director David Ondříček said: “When we premiered Zátopek at Karlovy Vary Festival in 2021, the response from audiences and international critics was so strong that we knew we had a film that...
- 9/9/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Myriad Pictures has acquired the international rights to “Zátopek,” Czech Republic’s 94th Academy Award Best International Feature Film submission. Gravitas Ventures has North American rights to the feature.
The deal was negotiated between John McGrath of UTA, on behalf of the producers, and Scott Bedno, senior vice president of sales and acquisitions at Myriad Pictures.
“Zátopek” is about the greatest Czech athlete of all time, four-time Olympic champion Emil Zátopek. It is the seventh film by prolific Czech director David Ondříček. His film “In the Shadow” was the Czech Oscar submission in 2012.
“Zátopek” stars Václav Neužil (“Dabing Street”), Martha Issová (“Dukla 61”), and Australian James Frecheville.
The film dominated the most prestigious Czech film awards, Czech Lions, with eight wins including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. It was nominated for 13 Czech Lions.
Ondříček said: “When we premiered ‘Zátopek’ at Karlovy Vary Festival in 2021, the...
The deal was negotiated between John McGrath of UTA, on behalf of the producers, and Scott Bedno, senior vice president of sales and acquisitions at Myriad Pictures.
“Zátopek” is about the greatest Czech athlete of all time, four-time Olympic champion Emil Zátopek. It is the seventh film by prolific Czech director David Ondříček. His film “In the Shadow” was the Czech Oscar submission in 2012.
“Zátopek” stars Václav Neužil (“Dabing Street”), Martha Issová (“Dukla 61”), and Australian James Frecheville.
The film dominated the most prestigious Czech film awards, Czech Lions, with eight wins including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. It was nominated for 13 Czech Lions.
Ondříček said: “When we premiered ‘Zátopek’ at Karlovy Vary Festival in 2021, the...
- 9/9/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
“Zátopek,” director David Ondříček’s biopic about Olympic champion Emil Zátopek, dominated the 29th annual Czech Lion Awards, winning in eight categories across 13 nominations.
The Czech Lion Awards were held on Saturday evening at Dvořák Hall in Prague’s Rudolfinum. The awards, which are voted on by a 350-person jury of members from the Czech Film and Television Academy, are considered the highest film honors in the Czech Republic.
During the ceremony, “Zátopek” won awards for best film, director, actor in a leading role, cinematography, editing, sound, production design and makeup and hairstyling. Prior to the ceremony, it was also announced that the film had previously won the fan vote category at the awards, as well as an award for its poster design.
“We deeply appreciate that the members of the Czech Film and Television Academy awarded the film ‘Zátopek,’ not only as best film, but also in so many other categories,...
The Czech Lion Awards were held on Saturday evening at Dvořák Hall in Prague’s Rudolfinum. The awards, which are voted on by a 350-person jury of members from the Czech Film and Television Academy, are considered the highest film honors in the Czech Republic.
During the ceremony, “Zátopek” won awards for best film, director, actor in a leading role, cinematography, editing, sound, production design and makeup and hairstyling. Prior to the ceremony, it was also announced that the film had previously won the fan vote category at the awards, as well as an award for its poster design.
“We deeply appreciate that the members of the Czech Film and Television Academy awarded the film ‘Zátopek,’ not only as best film, but also in so many other categories,...
- 3/5/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Mediawan takes ‘For The Record’ rights
Exclusive: French distributor Mediawan has taken worldwide distribution and European/LatAm format rights for For The Record, CBC Gem’s shortform comedy from Suits actor Julian De Zotti. Mediawan will take the comedy, which stars De Zotti alongside The Expanses’ Anna Hopkins, on the road following this week’s Mipcom. The show had its international premiere earlier this year at SXSW and features an interconnected cast of characters who are brought together in each episode by a song from Universal Music’s back catalogue. Mediawan’s move is “part of a larger effort of Canadian content and its creators to cross borders and find success abroad,” according to De Zotti, who was speaking exclusively to Deadline and cited the success of Schitt’s Creek. Mediawan VP content, Charles Touboul, said: “For The Record is a timeless love story with universal themes and unforgettable music, perfect for a global market.
Exclusive: French distributor Mediawan has taken worldwide distribution and European/LatAm format rights for For The Record, CBC Gem’s shortform comedy from Suits actor Julian De Zotti. Mediawan will take the comedy, which stars De Zotti alongside The Expanses’ Anna Hopkins, on the road following this week’s Mipcom. The show had its international premiere earlier this year at SXSW and features an interconnected cast of characters who are brought together in each episode by a song from Universal Music’s back catalogue. Mediawan’s move is “part of a larger effort of Canadian content and its creators to cross borders and find success abroad,” according to De Zotti, who was speaking exclusively to Deadline and cited the success of Schitt’s Creek. Mediawan VP content, Charles Touboul, said: “For The Record is a timeless love story with universal themes and unforgettable music, perfect for a global market.
- 10/11/2021
- by Max Goldbart, Tom Grater and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Zátopek, a biopic about four-time Olympic champion Emil Zátopek, has become a box office champ in Czech Republic as it continues to dominate turnstiles after two weeks in release.
From director David Ondricek, the movie originally debuted on August 26, scoring over 17M crowns ($791.5K) in its first frame to record the biggest opening weekend in the market since the start of the pandemic. It also was one of the five highest-grossing opening weekends of all time for a Czech title. In its second session, the film held the top spot (despite the arrival of Shang-Chi) and reached more than 200K admissions and about $1.4M. Scroll down for the trailer.
Produced by Kryštof Mucha and Ondříček, Zátopek had its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was the opening-night film and went on to win the Kviff Audience Award among 109 competing titles in the official selection.
From director David Ondricek, the movie originally debuted on August 26, scoring over 17M crowns ($791.5K) in its first frame to record the biggest opening weekend in the market since the start of the pandemic. It also was one of the five highest-grossing opening weekends of all time for a Czech title. In its second session, the film held the top spot (despite the arrival of Shang-Chi) and reached more than 200K admissions and about $1.4M. Scroll down for the trailer.
Produced by Kryštof Mucha and Ondříček, Zátopek had its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was the opening-night film and went on to win the Kviff Audience Award among 109 competing titles in the official selection.
- 9/9/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
At the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, 29-year-old Czech runner Emil Zátopek achieved the seemingly impossible, winning three gold medals in the 5,000-meter, 10,000-meter and (following an unexpected last-minute entry) marathon races: a hat-trick that remains unmatched. He’d already won two medals at the previous Olympics, and repeatedly broken his own speed records in assorted categories. Two years later, he broke the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000 meters.
Most of these achievements are dramatized, in suitably hearty and rousing form, in director David Ondříček’s polished, engaging biopic “Zátopek,” and certainly, it’s a life that could forgivably merit the most bombastically flattering sort of sports-drama treatment. Yet the emotional peaks in Ondříček’s film lie, unexpectedly, elsewhere. Ambitiously attempting both an interior character study as well as a broad historical overview, “Zátopek” appears to sincerely grasp the soul of a man for whom winning wasn’t everything, even if he always won.
Most of these achievements are dramatized, in suitably hearty and rousing form, in director David Ondříček’s polished, engaging biopic “Zátopek,” and certainly, it’s a life that could forgivably merit the most bombastically flattering sort of sports-drama treatment. Yet the emotional peaks in Ondříček’s film lie, unexpectedly, elsewhere. Ambitiously attempting both an interior character study as well as a broad historical overview, “Zátopek” appears to sincerely grasp the soul of a man for whom winning wasn’t everything, even if he always won.
- 8/25/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival became the latest festival to try to navigate an in-person event in these days of Covid and the Delta variant, staging a festive event on Friday night that awarded a prize to Michael Caine, screened the world premiere of “Zátopek” and put guests through a rigorous array of Covid checks and mask requirements.
The pandemic precautions were most visible in advance, when attendees were required to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative Pcr test to obtain special color-coded wristbands that gave them access for different periods of time; as at the Cannes Film Festival in July, authorities in the Czech Republic aren’t always accepting Qr codes from U.S. vaccinations, though that may change in the coming days.
On opening night, everybody seemed to be sporting the appropriate wristbands, but another central part of the 2021 Kviff rules — a mandate that masks...
The pandemic precautions were most visible in advance, when attendees were required to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative Pcr test to obtain special color-coded wristbands that gave them access for different periods of time; as at the Cannes Film Festival in July, authorities in the Czech Republic aren’t always accepting Qr codes from U.S. vaccinations, though that may change in the coming days.
On opening night, everybody seemed to be sporting the appropriate wristbands, but another central part of the 2021 Kviff rules — a mandate that masks...
- 8/21/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
"I knew right away he was the one." Totem Films has released the first promo trailer for a Czech animated film titled My Sunny Maad, premiering at the 2021 Annecy Film Festival coming up this month. It's still seeking distribution, but with a premiere soon it should get some extra attention. The story is about a Czech woman who falls in love with an Afghan man and then follows him to post-Taliban Afghanistan, where she has no idea of the life that awaits her or the family she is about to join. A "culture shock" story based around love and how we just need to open our eyes to other cultures to understand them. Featuring the voices of Zuzana Stivínová, Martha Issová, Hynek Čermák, and Ivan Trojan. My goodness, this looks like a really lovely story, and the hand-drawn animation is gorgeous, of course. I'm hoping this finds international distribution soon...
- 6/10/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
David Ondříček’s “Zátopek,” a biopic about Olympic champion athlete Emil Zátopek, has wrapped filming. The film stars Václav Neužil, Martha Issová and James Frecheville, who starred in Sundance prize-winner “Animal Kingdom.”
Ondříček, one of the most successful Czech directors working today, was selected by Variety magazine for its “10 Directors to Watch” list. His TV miniseries “Dukla 61” was nominated for a Golden Nymph at the 59th Monte-Carlo Television Festival this year.
In the film, Zátopek is seen as someone who inspires other athletes around the world. One of those is Australian record-breaker Ron Clarke – played by Frecheville – who unexpectedly loses what was probably his last chance at an Olympic medal after collapsing in a key race.
Clarke begins to lose faith in his abilities and goes to visit Zátopek, whom he admires unreservedly. The conversation between Clarke and Zátopek brings us retrospectively back to the main moments of the Czech...
Ondříček, one of the most successful Czech directors working today, was selected by Variety magazine for its “10 Directors to Watch” list. His TV miniseries “Dukla 61” was nominated for a Golden Nymph at the 59th Monte-Carlo Television Festival this year.
In the film, Zátopek is seen as someone who inspires other athletes around the world. One of those is Australian record-breaker Ron Clarke – played by Frecheville – who unexpectedly loses what was probably his last chance at an Olympic medal after collapsing in a key race.
Clarke begins to lose faith in his abilities and goes to visit Zátopek, whom he admires unreservedly. The conversation between Clarke and Zátopek brings us retrospectively back to the main moments of the Czech...
- 12/5/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Festival reveals guests headed to Karlovy Vary next month.
Us actor Willem Dafoe and writer-director Charlie Kaufman are to be honoured at the 51st Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Kviff) (July 1-9) on its opening night .
Dafoe is to receive the Crystal Globe for outstanding contribution to world cinema and the festival will screen his performances in Abel Ferrara’s Pasolini and Martin Scorese’s The Last Temptation of Christ.
Kaufman, who won an Oscar for his script for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, will receive the president’s award and the festival will screen animation Anomalisa, which he co-directed with Duke Johnson.
As previously announced, the festival set in the Czech Republic spa town will open with the world premiere of Second World War thriller Anthropoid, with actors Jamie Dornan and Toby Jones, Aňa Geislerová, Alena Mihulová, Václav Neužil and Marcin Dorocinski in attendence alongside writer-director Sean Ellis.
Guests
Other...
Us actor Willem Dafoe and writer-director Charlie Kaufman are to be honoured at the 51st Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Kviff) (July 1-9) on its opening night .
Dafoe is to receive the Crystal Globe for outstanding contribution to world cinema and the festival will screen his performances in Abel Ferrara’s Pasolini and Martin Scorese’s The Last Temptation of Christ.
Kaufman, who won an Oscar for his script for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, will receive the president’s award and the festival will screen animation Anomalisa, which he co-directed with Duke Johnson.
As previously announced, the festival set in the Czech Republic spa town will open with the world premiere of Second World War thriller Anthropoid, with actors Jamie Dornan and Toby Jones, Aňa Geislerová, Alena Mihulová, Václav Neužil and Marcin Dorocinski in attendence alongside writer-director Sean Ellis.
Guests
Other...
- 6/21/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Prague International Film Festival’s primary award went to Iceland for the second year running.
Rúnar Rúnarsson’s Sparrows was awarded the Grand Prix in the New Europe Competition at this year’s Prague International Film Festival - Febiofest which closed with the Czech premiere of Dexter Fletcher’s Eddie The Eagle.
Rúnarsson’s sensitive coming of age story is the second Icelandic film in a row to receive the top honour in Prague after Baldvin Zophoniasson’s Life In A Fishbowl took the Grand Prix home in 2015.
Amnesty International Award
Febiofest’s 23rd edition also saw the launching of a new prize, the Amnesty International Febiofest Award.
A jury consisting of the actress Martha Issová, the director of Amnesty International Czech Republic, Mark Martin, and the former Rotterdam programmer Gertjan Zuilhof selected Carlos Tribino Mamby’s The Silence Of The River from a line-up including Mustang, Nahid and Strange Heaven.
Speaking to Screen...
Rúnar Rúnarsson’s Sparrows was awarded the Grand Prix in the New Europe Competition at this year’s Prague International Film Festival - Febiofest which closed with the Czech premiere of Dexter Fletcher’s Eddie The Eagle.
Rúnarsson’s sensitive coming of age story is the second Icelandic film in a row to receive the top honour in Prague after Baldvin Zophoniasson’s Life In A Fishbowl took the Grand Prix home in 2015.
Amnesty International Award
Febiofest’s 23rd edition also saw the launching of a new prize, the Amnesty International Febiofest Award.
A jury consisting of the actress Martha Issová, the director of Amnesty International Czech Republic, Mark Martin, and the former Rotterdam programmer Gertjan Zuilhof selected Carlos Tribino Mamby’s The Silence Of The River from a line-up including Mustang, Nahid and Strange Heaven.
Speaking to Screen...
- 3/29/2016
- by screen.berlin@googlemail.com (Martin Blaney)
- ScreenDaily
Henrik Ruben Genz’s (pictured above) Danish drama “Terribly Happy” (“Frygtelig Iykkelig”) took home the Grand Prix award Saturday at the 43th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The film centers on a Copenhagen policeman (played by Jakob Cedergren) who’s temporarily reassigned to a provincial town, where he struggles with local customs and uncovers troubling secrets behind what appears to be peaceful small-town life.
The festival’s Special Jury Prize went to Nan Triveni Achnas’ “The Photograph,” about a 25-year-old prostitute who decides to fulfill a dying photographer’s last wishes.
Martha Issová picked up the Best Actress Award for her role in Michaela Pavlátová’s drama “Night Owls” (“Děti noci”), which focuses on a young woman unwilling to leave her childhood behind her.
The Best Actor Award went to Jiri Madl, who co-stars with Issová in “Night Owls.”...
The film centers on a Copenhagen policeman (played by Jakob Cedergren) who’s temporarily reassigned to a provincial town, where he struggles with local customs and uncovers troubling secrets behind what appears to be peaceful small-town life.
The festival’s Special Jury Prize went to Nan Triveni Achnas’ “The Photograph,” about a 25-year-old prostitute who decides to fulfill a dying photographer’s last wishes.
Martha Issová picked up the Best Actress Award for her role in Michaela Pavlátová’s drama “Night Owls” (“Děti noci”), which focuses on a young woman unwilling to leave her childhood behind her.
The Best Actor Award went to Jiri Madl, who co-stars with Issová in “Night Owls.”...
- 7/13/2008
- by Franck Tabouring
- screeninglog.com
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