The story of Slovak figure skater Ondrej Nepela, who represented Czechoslovakia and became the 1972 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion and a five-time European champion, is being adapted for the big screen for the first time since his death 36 years ago. Surprisingly, his life and legacy are being portrayed not once, but twice, as Slovak and Czech filmmaking teams are simultaneously working on biopics under the same title, Nepela.

One project, directed by Czech filmmaker Jakub Červenka (Talks with T.G. Masaryk [+lee también:
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The role of Nepela is played by young Slovak actor Adam Kubala, while his coach, Hilda Múdra, is portrayed by Slovak actress Jana Nagyová (Prince Mama's Boy). The cast also includes Czech and Slovak actors Karel Dobrý, Cyril Dobrý, Roman Luknár, Miroslav Hanuš, Peter Bebjak, Eva Lehotská and Martina Jindrová. Key members of the creative team include cinematographer Martin Štrba (The Painted Bird [+lee también:
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entrevista: Václav Marhoul
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entrevista: Iveta Grófová
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The second biopic is being developed under Slovak producer Ivan Ostrochovský (Servants [+lee también:
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entrevista: Ivan Ostrochovský
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In Gregovič´s version, Nepela is portrayed by Czech actor Josef Trojan (Charlatan [+lee también:
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entrevista: Agnieszka Holland
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entrevista: Jan Hřebejk
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entrevista: Albert Hospodářský
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entrevista: Alexandra Makarová
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Červenka’s Nepela is being co-produced on the Czech side by Bedna Films, Czech Television and PFX, and on the Slovak side by B Production and Novinski, while Slovak Television and Radio is in negotiations. The Czech Audiovisual Fund, Slovak Audiovisual Fund and Creative Europe – MEDIA supported the film. The domestic distributor is Continental Film.

Valentovič’s Nepela, meanwhile, is being produced by Punkchart Films and InFilm Praha, and co-produced by CinemArt. The Slovak Audiovisual Fund and Creative Europe – MEDIA supported the movie. CinemArt is the local distributor.