25/06/2024 - Urban Sales sells Czech helmer Jiří Mádl's film, a thriller that looks back at the period leading up to the invasion of the Czech Republic by the Warsaw Pact in 1968

The International Editorial Office of Czechoslovak Radio is staffed by courageous journalists, celebrities of their time. Young Tomáš works amongst them, though it is his brother's dream job. Tomáš's main concern is keeping them both safe with no idea that the editors are being targeted by the Secret Service. When a recording is discovered and broadcasting it could change the fate of many, the Secret Service focuses even more intensely on the newsroom. Will Tomáš go down in history alongside the journalists or will he protect his younger brother, the last remaining member of his family?

This is the synopsis of Waves [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jiří Mádl
film profile], the third feature by Czech actor-turned-director Jiří Mádl, which is having its world premiere as a Special Screening at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, taking place from 28 June-6 July. French sales agent Urban Sales has announced that it will be handling its international sales.

"We were instantly impressed by Waves’ production values and references to Argo, Spotlight and Good Night, and Good Luck. From the Czechoslovak Radio’s newsroom to the Prague Spring invasion, this spy period thriller is undoubtedly the most ambitious Eastern film of the year," according to Urban Sales head of festivals Irène Cadavid.

Mádl's directorial debut, To See the Sea [+see also:
film review
film profile] (2014), won a total of 17 awards at international film festivals and was nominated for the Czech Lion Awards, and his second feature, On the Roof [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (2019), won the Grand Newcomer Award at Mannheim-Heidelberg and the Audience Award at Karlovy Vary, and received seven nominations for the Czech Lions.

The film is being produced by Monika Kristl for Dawson Production and co-produced by Wanda Adamík-Hrycová for Wandal Production, with participation by Czech Television - Česká televize, Rozhlas a televízia Slovenska - Radio and Television Slovakia and Barrandov Studios. The project participated in the 2016 MIDPOINT Feature Launch, the 2016 Intelligent Audience Design Workshop with Kathleen McInnis and the 2020 Czech Film Spring Board.

Check out our exclusive trailer below: