The sequel to the Slovak box-office success Scumbag [+lire aussi :
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fiche film] (see the news), titled War of the Police (working title; original title Vojna policajtov), is currently in post-production. Scumbag was a collaborative directorial effort between Mariana Čengel Solčanská, known for her politically inspired genre pieces, such as Kidnapping [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
fiche film], and producer Rudolf Biermann, whose credits include The Man with Hare Ears [+lire aussi :
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interview : Martin Šulík
fiche film], A Prominent Patient [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
fiche film] and The Glass Room [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
fiche film]. However, War of the Police marks Biermann's first venture as a solo director. The narrative delves deep into the sociopolitical ambience of Eastern Slovakia during the tumultuous "Mečiarism" era, marked by the authoritative tenure of the country's prime minister and noticeable breaches in democratic norms. Mirroring Scumbag (see the news), the script is adapted from a novel by Slovak author Arpád Soltész, titled Anger, which was inspired by actual events. This is the third instalment in a literary crime series preceded by Scumbag and Flesh. Once Upon a Time in the East (which have been published in French under the titles Le Bal des Porcs and Il était une fois dans l’Est, respectively). The first novel, Flesh. Once Upon a Time in the East, has also been in development for the big-screen treatment, overseen by producer-director Michal Kollár (The Red Captain [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
fiche film]).

War of the Police offers a portrayal of the mafia’s sway and its relations with politics, the police and the Slovakian Secret Service during the wildest era in the country’s history. The film affords us a detailed and unvarnished glimpse into the daily existence and activities of individuals in the eastern region. Set against the backdrop of the volatile 1990s, the narrative is anchored by Mikuláš "Miky" Miko (Alexander Bárta, from Hostage [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
fiche film]), a captain at the Regional Police Directorate in Košice. Notably, Miky remains untainted in an environment rife with corruption, a stance that frequently sets him apart from his contemporaries. The storyline intensifies when he joins forces with a youthful, principled officer, Igor "Moly" Molnár (Juraj Loj, from Charlatan [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
interview : Agnieszka Holland
fiche film]). Together, they unearth disturbing links between the criminal underworld and high-ranking political elites. The creators have cited the neo-noir classic LA Confidential as a reference for their film.

While the movie is characterised by dark undertones, it is also punctuated by moments of cynical humour – a signature of Soltész's penmanship. The narrative is anchored in themes of personal courage, integrity and the pivotal act of confronting a flawed system, making it resonate with modern contexts. Described as an "eastern" – a nod to westerns but set amidst the unique aesthetic and socio-cultural backdrop of Eastern Europe – War of the Police contrasts the stark ambience of rundown housing blocks and grimy bars with the historic vistas of Košice, Banská Štiavnica and the commanding Tatra Mountains, lensed by award-winning Slovak DoP Martin Štrba (Charlatan). The ensemble cast, predominantly Slovak, features Robert Jakab (Arvéd), Marián Mitaš (We Have Never Been Modern [+lire aussi :
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interview : Matěj Chlupáček et Miro Ši…
fiche film]), Anežka Petrová, Broňa Kováčiková (Amnesty [+lire aussi :
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fiche film]), Ady Hajdu (A Prominent Patient) and Dušan Cinkota (Miki – see the news).

War of the Police is being co-produced by Rudolf Biermann’s production outfit IN Film (Czech Republic), distribution company Cinemart (Czech Republic) and Cinemart SK (Slovakia). The Slovak Audiovisual Fund has supported the project. Cinemart will handle the theatrical release in both countries – on 1 February in Slovakia and on 29 February in the Czech Republic.