Introduction to the Film
The Italian sales agent Intramovies has brought on board the Slovak director Tereza Nvotová’s film Father, which is set to make its world premiere in the Horizons competition in Venice. This film marks Nvotová’s third feature film, following her feminist horror drama Night, which won the Golden Leopard in Locarno in 2022.
About the Film
Father is inspired by a true story and follows a devoted father whose life is destroyed by a single tragic mistake. The film explores how this mistake affects his marriage and his will to live, leading him to face a long prison sentence. As he navigates this difficult time, he comes to realize that his failure can be deeply rooted in the architecture of the human mind.
Themes and Style
Father is a portrait of love, shame, and the quiet struggle to forgive the unforgivable. The film uses an immersive style, with long, uninterrupted takes that follow the emotional heartbeat of its characters in real time. This unique approach allows the audience to deeply connect with the characters and their emotions.
Cast and Production
The film features Milan Ondrík, winner of the Best Actor Award at Karlovy Vary 2019, Dominika Morávková, and Aňa Geislerová. The Slovakian-Czech/Polish co-production is produced by Veronika Paštéková and Anton Skreko for Danae production of Slovakia, Karel Chvojka and Miloš Lochman for Moloko film of the Czech Republic, and Marta Gmosińska and Mariusz Włodarski for Lava Films of Poland.
Release and Future Projects
The film will be released on September 11th by Cinemart in Slovakia and on September 15th in the Czech Republic. Nvotová will next direct the political true crime series Our People, which was awarded this year at the Mania series. She is represented by Uta and Schwarzbär and lives and works between Prague and New York.
Crew and Industry Recognition
The film was written by Dušan Budzak and Nvotová, and turned by the Polish cameraman Adam Suzin. The original score is composed by Jonatán Pastircák (Pjoni), a long-time collaborator of the director. The project has participated in several industry platforms as a work-in-progress, including East West, Baltic Event, Sofia meetings, the VIP showcase of the Marché du Film goes to Cannes, and Mia Market.
Sales and Marketing
Geremia Biagiotti, Intramovies’ sales, marketing, and acquisition manager, praised the film, saying: "By presenting the devastating consequences of unforeseen tragedies and the dangerous mob mentality, the film takes the audience on a convincing narrative, breathtaking cinematography, and an indispensable performance. Father establishes Tereza Nvotová as one of the most unmistakable and most promising new authors in European cinema."
