EXCLUSIVE: Italian sales agent Intramovies has boarded Slovak director Tereza Nvotová’s Father, which is set to world premiere in Venice’s Horizons competition.

Father is the third film from Nvotová, whose feminist horror-drama Nightsiren won the Golden Leopard at Locarno in the Filmmakers of the Present competition in 2022.

Father won the Screen International Award last year at MIA Market’s work-in-progress programme C EU Soon.

Inspired by a true story, the film follows a devoted father whose life is shattered by a single tragic mistake, pushing his marriage and his will to live to the brink. Facing a long prison sentence, he begins to realise that his failure may be rooted deep in the architecture of the human mind. 

Father is billed as a portrait of love, shame, and the quiet struggle to forgive the unforgivable. The film’s immersive style uses long, uninterrupted takes to follow the emotional heartbeat of its characters in real time.

It stars Milan Ondrík, winner of the best actor award at Karlovy Vary 2019, Dominika Morávková and Aňa Geislerová.

The Slovak/Czech/Polish co-production is produced by Veronika Paštéková and Anton Skreko for Slovakia’s Danae Production, Karel Chvojka and Miloš Lochman for the Czech Republic’s moloko film, and Marta Gmosińska and Mariusz Włodarski for Poland’s Lava Films.

The film will be released theatrically by Cinemart in Slovakia on September 11 and in the Czech Republic on September 15, with the Polish release date to follow.

Nvotová is next set to direct the political true-crime series Our People, awarded this year at Series Mania. She is represented by UTA and Black Bear. Born in Slovakia, she lives and works between Prague and New York.

Written by Dušan Budzak and Nvotová, Father is shot by Polish cinematographer Adam Suzin and edited by Nikodem Chabior. The original score is composed by Jonatán Pastircák (Pjoni), a long-time collaborator of the director.

The project participated as a work-in-progress in several industry platforms: When East Meets West, Baltic Event. Sofia Meetings, the Marché du Film’s VIP Showcase Goes to Cannes and MIA Market.

Geremia Biagiotti, Intramovies’ sales, marketing & acquisitions manager, said: “Through its depiction of the devastating aftermath of unforeseen tragedy and the dangerous pull of mob mentality, the film grips audiences with a compelling narrative, breathtaking cinematic style, and unforgettable performances. This universal story will captivate arthouse audiences around the globe…We believe Father cements Tereza Nvotová as one of the most distinctive and promising new auteurs in European cinema.”

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