‘Zátopek - David Ondříček’

The film will be shown in the presence of the director David Ondříček, Václav Neužil (Emil Zátopek) and Martha Issová (Dana Zátopková)

His nickname was “Czech locomotive”. Zátopek is about the life of the famous Czech endurance runner and Olympic champion Emil Zátopek, a man who, with impressive nonchalance, pushed the boundaries of human possibilities and took his place alongside other greats who transformed athletic competitions into unforgettable stories. From the beginnings of Emil’s passion for running to his first success at the WCA in Berlin and later his meeting with the javelin thrower Dana, we are taken on a journey through Zátopek’s glorious memories whilst also learning about the increasing pressure of the communist regime.

David Ondříček is one of the most successful Czech directors today. He made his directorial debut in 1996 with the film Whisper, which became the second most viewed film of the year in the Czech Republic. He won the Promotional Award at the Cottbus festival of young European cinema.

The screening is a part of a focus on contemporary Czech film during the Czech Presidency of the EU.