Tereza Nvotová’s drama “Father” – recently chosen as the Slovak Academy Awards Submission – has been sold to multiple regions. The film, which the world premiered in Venice, is heading towards the feature film competition at the Zurich Film Festival.
It will be sold by Intramovis and following a collaboration with Italian Fandango, the film will be distributed to French-speaking Europe (Epicenter), Greece (Chinovo), Balticus (Kinopavasalis), and Spain (Leviso films).
Starring Milan Rooster in the title role, he takes on the tragedy of a surprising and general reality. In a previous interview, Nvotová said he had heard of three similar cases “in my hometown” this year.
“I only heard vaguely about them, but once I started working on the film, I realized how often this actually happens,” Ondrík told Variety. In a film about what is known as “forgotten child syndrome,” he plays a father whose normal days turn into fear.
“It’s shocking because it’s not about ‘bad people’. It’s about a normal family, a father, and a mother who loves her children.
He also said, “It shows you really have a fragile life.
“Michal is not a criminal or a villain. He is a normal man, a father, and in terrible moments he makes the mistake of destroying everything he loves. It’s scary and very human. I gave one condition as an actor. I had to go through this role.
He was joined by Dominican Moravkova, Asa Geislova and Martina Skova.
In the film, Mikal appears to organize his life. But when his ordeal becomes public, people quickly judge him.
“I never considered him a villain. Society labels him that way, but to me he is still the same guy. His father, husband, who loves his daughter, is trying to bring his family together,” Ondrík said.
“He’s guilty, yes, but he’s human. The tragedy is that people often can’t see both sides at the same time. My job was to show that paradox.
Having the film monitored was important for both the director and Ondrick.
“Teleza and I have talked a lot about finding balance. The film is dark and cruel, but there is also about love and hope. It shows the right emotions in the right moment.
The Long Take also allowed viewers to “stay in Mikal’s mind.”
“It’s not just making the film live, it makes it intimate. I think that’s why people respond to it. They feel tragedy, they feel humanity. And even in the darkest places, there can still be light.”
Sylvie Leray, CEO of Reverso Films, praised the “subtle and subtle” acting in the film.
“Reverso Films has always paid attention to the talents of Central and Eastern European countries, and is particularly sensitive to difficult and universal subjects led by the director’s moving storytelling.”
