For attendees expecting to see familiar faces, the presentations offered a happy surprise. CFC director Jana Cernik noted that one-third of the projects were debuts, while Czech feature animation was also seeing an increase.
The presentations began with one of the biggest surprises: Karlovy Vary (www.kviff.com) programme director Julietta Sichel making her debut as a film producer with a charismatic "slightly" biographical drama, 8 Heads of Madness based on the story of a thwarted artistic genius in the person of a Russian poetess. The film, a picture of 20th century Russia with contemporary resonance, is planned as a three/four country coproduction. Like many of the projects being presented, it has already received state funding.
European Film Promotion (www.efp-online.com) "Producer on the Move" Pavel Bercik of Evolution Films (www.evolutionfilms.cz) proved the validity of his selection for the Cannes industry honor, presenting two films with impressive pedigrees. To the Sea won the RWE script award and has already lined up Barrandov film studio (www.barrandov.com), Czech TV (www.ceskatelevize.cz), and Croatian co-producer Studio Dim (www.dim.hr). Bercik is seeking additional commercial and foreign production partners for the film, with a 2011 release date. Yuma, an "art house thriller" is at the end of filming, with a fall 2010 release planned. The Polish/Czech/German coproduction from Yeti Films (www.yetifilms.com), whose credits include Peter Greenaway's Night Watch, Germany's Heimatfilm, and sound studio Studio Bystrouska (www.bystrouska.cz) partner with Evolution Films. The production is now seeking a Czech distributor or TV sale.
Twice awarded with the coveted Radok prize for theatre direction, Ondrej Sokol presented his debut film project Krasno with a compelling montage of shots that hint at a first feature headed for discerning festivals. The 1 million euro film, a black crime comedy for newcomer Lovecraft production company (www.love-craft.cz) has state and private funding already in place.
Among established names, Petr Zelenka's 2 million euro mold-breaking experimental mockumentary/comedy/drama 1938 ½ for DogDay Productions (www.dogdayproductions.cz) is scheduled for a 2012 shoot, with a premiere by early 2013.
Mira Foray presented her second film after Venice-screened Foxes, a drama entitled My Dog Killer. The 1.4 million euro Czech/Slovak co-production for Cineart TV Prague and Mirafox (www.mirafox.sk) is looking for a third and fourth EU partner, with filming scheduled for March 2011.
On the animation side, Aurel Klimt captured the audience's imaginations with Laika, an animated puppet sci-fi musical about the first dog in space for Studio Zvon (www.studiozvon.eu). The 2 million euro film is one-third of the way through production, with a winter 2012 release planned.
The Czech Film Center's new catalog of 64 Czech films in all stages of production is available in printed form and online.
