All three of these projects mark their directors’ first foray into fiction, yet each comes in with substantial experience. Rozálie Kohoutová, known for her documentary work, will be applying this experience and approach to her feature fiction debut. Jan Švejkar, transitioning from award-winning commercials to feature films, follows in the footsteps of Czech directors Ivan Zachariáš and Martin Krejčí, who have successfully made similar transitions. Luboš Kučera, having directed several short films, will make his feature debut under the guidance of a renowned production company with an international reputation. These projects exemplify the spirit of young Czech cinema, showcasing stories that merge personal and social themes with humor, authenticity, and visually engaging styles.

Slacker dad dramedy

Kohoutová’s new project, Antonie, is already generating buzz in the film industry, having received the Eurimages Co-production Development Award and the Rotterdam Lab Award at the Karlovy Vary IFF’s industry strand, KVIFF Eastern Promises. The jury appreciated that the project “challenges conventional ideas about parenthood with humor and heart and motivates us to rethink societal norms.” 

This recognition highlights the international potential of Kohoutová’s first venture into fiction filmmaking, following her documentary projects Jenica and Perla and FC Roma. Kohoutová, an alumna of the 2023 Czech Film Springboard, where she presented her domestic violence docudrama You Never Just Walk Away, this time out continues her collaboration with producer Martina Knoblochová from Punk Film.

The story follows Anton, a perennial slacker who, after losing his job, has to look after his daughter on his own while his girlfriend Soňa goes to Paris to earn the family money as a pole dancer. Left alone in a society where men rarely take paternity leave, Anton becomes the subject of ridicule. The only real help he gets is from the Romani family of his best friend, Tibor. As he cares for Antonie, Anton unexpectedly finds the motivation he has always lacked, regaining his footing by dealing weed to mothers on maternity leave. This newfound stability is disrupted, however, when Anton’s drunk stepfather cruelly suggests that Antonie is not his daughter.

Kohoutová blends social realism with comedy to explore themes of paternal love, gender biases, societal expectations, and racial prejudice in an economically challenged setting. Based on her documentary background, she aims to remain faithful to local aesthetics with pop-art imagery. The set design evokes pop idols of the 2000s, while the soundtrack features local rap and techno music. The director cites Sean Baker’s The Florida Project and Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank as inspirations for the visual style and setting.

Antonie is planned as a three-country coproduction, with Slovak and French partners. Shooting is expected in autumn 2025, with a 2026 premiere in mind. Filming will occur in postindustrial housing estates with a small crew and local nonprofessional actors. The production team includes Kohoutová’s longtime collaborators cinematographer Šimon Dvořáček and sound designer Adam Levý, ensuring a cohesive creative vision. Additionally, Sláva Pecháček is cast in the lead role of Anton.

Kohoutová notes the story’s relevance beyond Czech borders, stating, “Initially, I thought the themes, particularly gender roles in parenting, were very Czech-specific. However, I’ve found that these issues resonate across Europe. With the rise of far-right politics, discussing these gender roles and expectations has become increasingly relevant.”

Generational family tribulation

For feature first-timer Kučera, the progressive Czech production company nutprodukce, known for award-winning projects like the animated film Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light, as well as the acclaimed TV series Suspicion, Burning Bush, and Wasteland, is developing a new dramedy titled The Disobedient Kids. This project blends comedy with social issues, focusing on communication barriers and strained familial relationships. Produced by Tomáš Hrubý and Hana Šormová, the film will be coproduced by their sister company in Slovakia, nutprodukcia, as they explore additional partnerships. The production team is currently seeking additional financing and sales agents.

The Disobedient Kids centers on Lucie, a burned-out sign language interpreter in her thirties, assigned to interpret meetings between Zdeněk, a prisoner convicted of grievous bodily harm, and his deaf teenage son, Matěj. Initially reluctant due to Zdeněk’s crude demeanor, Lucie soon realizes that her absence could jeopardize his parole. Drawing parallels between Zdeněk’s strained relationship with Matěj and her own troubled family dynamics, Lucie becomes determined to help them reconcile, unaware of the far-reaching consequences her intervention might have.

The script, written by young screenwriter David Semler, follows the evolving dynamics between Lucie, Zdeněk, and Matěj in what is described as “a pseudo love triangle.” As Lucie breaks down communication barriers, she inadvertently triggers deep-seated emotions and conflicts, leading to a dramatic confrontation that forces all three to confront their past traumas and current realities. Emerging director Luboš Kučera has been tapped to helm the film, marking his feature debut. Principal photography is preliminarily set for 2025, with delivery expected the following year.

Kučera, a FAMU graduate, gained recognition with his short film Switched Shifts (2019), which won the Best Film Award in the National Competition at Pragueshorts. His previous works, such as Four Days at the Depot (2013) and The Man Who Attached a TNT Charge to the Mixing Desk (2019), showcase his ability to blend social themes with comic undertones. The approach sets his films apart, providing a fresh perspective on serious subjects, and he aims to continue this exploration in The Disobedient Kids. Kučera cites as inspirations Toni Erdmann and On Body and Soul for their balance of humor and emotional depth, as well as the Swedish provocateur Ruben Östlund.

The director is dedicated to casting actors who can bring authenticity to their roles. Natálie Řehořová (A Night Too Young, Flower Buds) has been cast as Lucie and Rosťa Novák (Ordinary Failures, We Are On It, Comrades!) as Zdeněk, emphasizing Kučera’s preference for actors who can guide nonprofessionals in authentic performances. He also plans to cast a deaf nonactor in the role of Matěj. With his commitment to the universal themes of family, humor, and life struggles, The Disobedient Kids is bound to be a work of cinema that transcends cultural boundaries.

Secrets and deceit

Director Jan Švejkar, recognized for his award-winning work in commercials, is set to make his feature-length debut with Hotel Moldau, a mystery thriller set in 1935 Czechoslovakia, written by Jiří Suchý, Ladislav Babuščák, and Petr Oplatka. This ambitious project explores the themes of truth, loyalty, and deception against the backdrop of a Europe on the brink of World War II.

With his past work in commercials, Švejkar brings a refined visual sensibility and a keen eye for detail, attributes honed through years of collaboration with top international brands. His commercials, which have earned accolades including a bronze lion at Cannes Lions, exhibit a nuanced approach to storytelling and atmosphere. These qualities are now being channeled into Hotel Moldau, where Švejkar’s directorial style promises to result in a suspenseful, evocative visual film.

The story follows a German radio engineer who seeks refuge in the titular countryside hotel, using it as a clandestine radio station to transmit anti-Hitler news to Nazi Germany. Unbeknownst to him, a Nazi spy has been dispatched to capture him, return him to Germany, and destroy the transmitter. Hotel Moldau will be shot on a single location with an ensemble cast, based on the actual events of 1935. The narrative intertwines historical facts with fictional suspense, exploring the strained dynamics and hidden truths among its characters, while delving into universal themes of morality and resistance. 

Produced by Petr Oplatka of Stairway Films, who previously collaborated with Švejkar on commercials, the film draws parallels between the pre–World War II era and current global issues such as the rise of nationalism, propaganda, misinformation, technology, and surveillance. The producer emphasizes the unique angle of the story with its portrayal of heroes who resisted the Nazi dictator. References for the film include the period murder mystery Knives Out, the suspenseful mystery drama And Then There Were None (based on the Agatha Christie story), Robert Altman’s murder mystery Gosford Park, as well as the most notorious suspense film ever set in a hotel, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

As development wraps up, the producers are focusing on securing financial backing. Principal photography is scheduled for autumn-winter 2025, with postproduction extending until May 2026. The film is expected to be ready by July 2026. Hotel Moldau has confirmed a coproducer from Slovakia, and given that most dialogues are in German, the producers are exploring partnership opportunities in German-speaking countries. Theatrical distribution for the Czech and Slovak territories is set, and efforts are ongoing to secure a distribution deal in German-speaking countries, as well as finding a sales agent.