The wide-screen saga had an 11-year journey from page to sound stage for Prague-based writer,producer, actor, director (and Olympic judo champion) Petr Jakl, who navigated COVID delays and secured Ben Foster as the grizzled hero with a supporting cast of Sir Michael Caine, Matthew Goode, Til Schweiger and Karel Roden as various corrupt kings and aristocrats. The film has already sold in most territories and formats, and its budget of 25 million dollars makes it probably the most expensive independent film made in Europe.
Jakl's previous film was a found footage feature The Ghoul shot in Ukraine, which became the top-grossing horror film released in the Czech Republic (beating The Exorcist).
"I saw it as a kind of Czech Braveheart," Jakl says "but now the struggles of these warring, corrupt kingdoms, in a time when there were two Popes, seem horribly topical. And the Church and Thrones rode rough-shod over the ordinary people."
Now Festival Directors and programmers are batting for its public bow, ahead of a premiere in Prague which is pencilled in for 8 September 2022.
Production information:
Producer: J.B.J FILMS PRAGUE
Credits:
Director: Petr Jakl
Cast: Ben Foster, Sir Michael Caine, Matthew Goode, Til Schweiger and Karel Roden
