The film directed by Jirí Mádl WavesA fresh take on the period before and after the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Soviet-led Warsaw Pact troops, the Czech Republic's entry for the 2025 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
The film, which had its world premiere at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), where it won the Audience Award, was presented on Tuesday as the official Czech Republic contender.
“The film revolves around the international press office of the Czechoslovak Radio, a place filled with talented individuals with broad insights, linguistic skills and above all a commitment to honest, truth-focused journalism,” whose broadcasts played a key role during the Soviet invasion and occupation of Czechoslovakia in August 1968, according to a synopsis. “A dynamically shot and rewarding epic, it encompasses unusual heroism in the face of an oppressive regime, the strength of fraternal bonds and the eternal themes of love, betrayal, morality and hope.”
The ensemble cast is led by Vojtech Vodochodský and also includes Táňa Pauhofová, Stanislav Majer, Ondřej Stupka, Martin Hofmann, Petr Lněnička, Marika Šoposká, Tomáš Maštalír, Igor Bareš and Vojtěch Kotek.
by Jan Sverák Dove (1996) won the International Oscar. Since then, two Czech nominations, that of Jan Hřebejk Divided we fall and Ondřej Trojan Zelaryhave been included in the list of candidates.
'Waves'
Courtesy of Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary