“Zatopek is the story of an outsider, a kid with a squeaky voice, often mistaken for a girl, described by his own mother as a weakling, and essentially lacking in sporting talent. At the same time, it’s the story of a man with an enormous will and yearning to win, a dogged and indomitable athlete who became a legend,” says David Ondricek said in a statement.
The main characters will be played by Vaclav Neuzil and Marta Issova. According to the director, Vaclav Neuzil has been training weekly since last year under the supervision of a professional trainer recommended by the Czech Olympic Committee, while Martha Issová who has been cast in the role of Emil’s wife has also started training with the javelin, with the same coach who previously trained champion Barbora Špotáková.
David Ondricek is producing through his company Lucky Man Films (http://www.luckymanfilms.com/) in coproduction with Mark Lwoff and Misha Jaari through the Finnish company Bufo. The budget of 2. 75 m EUR is partially supported by the Czech State Cinematography Fund. Shooting starts in October 2015 and will be on location in Prague, Berlin and Helsinki.
David Ondricek will pitch the project at Pitch & Feedback, the pitching panel of Czech and Slovak films in development within Karlovy Vary IFF´s industry programme (www.kviff.com), which is annually organized by Czech Film Center, Slovak Film Institute and MIDPOINT. The theatrical release is planned for February 2017.
Production Information:
Lucky Man Films
Na Maninách 1590/29
170 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Phone: +420 224 999 841
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.luckymanfilms.com/
Credits:
Scriptwriter: David Ondříček, Jan P. Muchow
Director: David Ondříček
Producer: David Ondříček, Kryštof Mucha
Production company: Lucky Man Films
Co-production: Mark Lwoff, Misha Jaari /Bufo. (Finland)
Cast: Václav Neužil, Martha Issová
