29/05/2024 - The upcoming eight-part show explores the rise of an unwilling environmental activist as a marital dispute turns into a societal conflict

Director Petr Zelenka (centre) on the set of Limits (© Miroslav Kučera)

One of the most original Czech screenwriters and directors, Petr Zelenka, has begun filming a new eight-part series called Limits. Zelenka’s previous work has included the dramedy Droneman [+see also:
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Known for his unique ability to blend absurdity, humour and harsh reality, Zelenka brings his distinctive storytelling style to the new series. Limits follows the co-owner of a waste disposal company called Karel (Aleš Háma), who becomes an environmental protest icon against his will, turning a marital dispute into a societal conflict.

Creative producer from Czech Television Kateřina Ondřejková describes the director's approach: “Petr Zelenka reflects our times with all their contradictions and absurdities, without taking a clear stance. Limits highlights the confusion surrounding our planet's issues and those exploiting it for economic growth, as well as their increasingly radical opponents. While no one expects a TV series to solve the ecological crisis, Limits raises important questions and prompts us to seek answers, all in an entertaining manner.”

Zelenka, who is also a co-producer and penned all of the episodes, has been working on the concept for nearly four years. He shared his thoughts on the new series: “Finding topics I believe in and enjoy working on is challenging. After years of developing Limits, I'm convinced we have a great theme. The story is current, and the treatment is original and surprising.” The Czech Film Fund is supporting development on the show, and the body’s committee stated that the series continues in the tradition of Zelenka’s current works, offering “an ambiguous portrait of contemporary Czech society, this time set in the world of environmental activists”. The committee appreciated the project's concept, and the auteur's sense of absurd humour and “understated exaggeration”.

In addition to Háma, the cast includes Veronika Khek Kubařová (Droneman), Tatiana Dyková (Brothers [+see also:
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film profile]), Maxmilián Dolanský and Jaroslav Plesl (Zátopek [+see also:
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film profile]). Shooting will last for 65 days, taking place in various locations including Ústí nad Labem, Libochovice and Prague, and the series is being lensed by Tomáš Frkal, who was the DoP on Electra (see the news), among other projects. The final scenes are expected to wrap in early August. The series is set to air on Czech Television in 2025.

Limits is being produced by Zelenka’s 0.7 km films and Czech Television.