email print share on Facebook share on Twitter share on LinkedIn share on reddit pin on Pinterest

BERLINALE 2015 Market

An array of Czech and Slovakian offerings on the table at the EFM

by 

- BERLIN 2015: The mockumentary-thriller Ghoul, sports drama Fair Play and a fiction-feature adaptation of Jan Saudek’s life are all on offer at the European Film Market

An array of Czech and Slovakian offerings on the table at the EFM
Hostage by Juraj Nvota

Besides the Slovakian and Czech films in the official selection of the 65th Berlinale, domestic production will also be represented at the European Film Market. The debut fiction feature Koza [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ivan Ostrochovský
film profile
]
by Slovakian producer and director Ivan Ostrochovský, also nominated for the Best First Feature Award, will be at the EFM, with Pluto Film handling sales and festivals for the title. The warmly received Slovakian-Czech co-production Hostage [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by Juraj Nvota, a nostalgic coming-of-age tale set in communist Czechoslovakia, and featuring a strong cast of Slovakian and Czech actors, is another offering at the market, with its production company, Alef Film & Media, handling sales as well. Also among the domestic films on offer is Slovakia’s Oscar submission, A Step into the Dark [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, a period drama about a young doctor who is struggling to come to terms with his bloody past during the war. Amadeus Entertainment and Trigon Productions are handling festival queries and sales.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)
Hot docs EFP inside

The Czech-Slovakian co-produced sports drama Fair Play [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
by Andrea Sedláčková is spearheading the Czech market delegation; Intramovies is taking care of sales and festivals. The recently domestically premiered The Photograph [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, a fictional account of the life of controversial Czech photographer Jan Saudek by Irena Pavlásková, has also hit market screens for further consideration. Karel Roden, who stars in the leading role, was widely lauded for his performance. Czech Television is managing sales.

The dark thriller Ghoul [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, shot as a mockumentary (in the same vein as The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity) by Czech director Petr Jákl, is having its market screenings before it hits domestic theatres on 26 February. In the movie, a filmmaking crew arrives in Ukraine to make a documentary on cannibalism, but things go awry after a disturbing encounter with the story of the infamous man-eater Chikatilo. The English-language thriller (boasting an international cast) has already been sold to the US, set to premiere on 20 March. Hollywood Classic Entertainment is dealing with sales.

The director of the critically acclaimed comedy Sunday League, Jan Prušinovský, is bringing his latest outing to the market. The Snake Brothers [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jan Prušinovský
film profile
]
is a drama about two siblings, one who is trying to make sense of his life, while the other cannot let go of his irresponsible attitude, thus threatening to jeopardise his brother’s chances of having a normal existence. Sales and festivals are managed by Offside MEN. Market attendees will also be offered the documentary Always Together [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
by Eva Tomanová, which follows Peter Mlčoch and his family of nine children as they fight against consumerism in their own unique way. They live in a caravan with no running water or toilet, relying solely on their own resources, despite having to make huge personal sacrifices. Visible Film is handling sales and is also representing another Czech documentary, Daniel’s World [+see also:
trailer
interview: Veronika Lišková
film profile
]
, screening in the Panorama section.

In addition, the Czech Republic signed up as a co-producer for the Macedonian-Slovenian film Honey Night [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, the German title Brundibar Revisited and Radu Jude’s Romanian drama Aferim! [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Radu Jude
film profile
]
, all three of which have been brought to this year’s European Film Market.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.

Privacy Policy