Authenticity loves irony

In the realm of upcoming projects within the local cinema landscape, It Would Be My Dream holds a distinguished position. This enthralling work-in-progress is the creation of a seasoned director with an established reputation. Ondřej Provazník is an accomplished filmmaker on the Czech documentary scene, having collaborated with Martin Dušek on a series of celebrated projects kicked off by their feature-length documentary debut, A Town Called Hermitage (2007). The film examines the sociopolitical landscape of a Northern Czech hamlet whose original German-speaking population was expelled after World War II.

The documentary is characterized by the signature sarcastic style of the filmmaking duo. Their debut was hailed as one of the best Czech documentaries of the post-Velvet Revolution era by the legendary Czech new wave director Věra Chytilová. The film went on to win the Best Czech Documentary Film award at the 2007 Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival, and it was later nominated by the Czech Film Academy for the European Film Award.

Provazník, who graduated in journalism and screenwriting, has primarily worked in documentary filmmaking alongside his colleague Dušek, exploring a range of social issues with nuance, irony, and authenticity. Provazník collaborated on a variety of documentary cycles for Czech Television and an array of domestic fiction series, including a local HBO production, working as a scriptwriter.

Old-Timers (2019), Provazník's most recent work, marks a breakthrough in his career, as he pivoted to fiction filmmaking. This unconventional revenge road-dramedy, co-authored by Provazník and Dušek, follows a pair of octogenarians who are former political prisoners and WWII veterans.

The protagonists seek to deliver justice upon an unpunished communist prosecutor with whom they had a personal experience. Inspired by actual events, the film is packed with the pair's signature sarcasm as it deals with themes of aging, the pursuit of justice in a failing political system, power dynamics, and social status. The film was nominated in ten categories for the national Czech Lion Awards, winning for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, while it earned the Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor accolades at the Czech Film Critics' Awards.

Provazník is currently continuing on the fiction filmmaking trajectory. While documentaries are great for observing reality, fiction enables deeper scrutiny of social phenomena, the writer-director explains.

Not another rape drama

The director's new project, It Would Be My Dream, currently in production, follows a similar formula to Old-Timers: a story based on true events, meticulous research tackling a widespread social issue against the backdrop of a different era, and its reverberations into the present. Yet, the film will be vastly different compared to his previous effort.

It Would Be My Dream marks Provazník's most ambitious project to date, exploring the multilayered topics of sexual predation, abuse of power, victimhood, trauma, and reckoning. The script promises an authentic perspective on the subject while eschewing the two-dimensional, moralistic outlook. The film's director admits the story setup is archetypal; however, he adds that they have avoided all the common tropes and conventions observed in this kind of narrative.

The drama centers on two sisters, 13-year-old Karolína and 15-year-old Lucie, who join a famous, long-running, girls-only choir in the 90s. Karolína struggles to catch up to her older sister, but when the choir is offered a chance to tour the U.S., she sees her opportunity during a winter practice camp at a mountain lodge. The choirmaster, celebrated yet despotic 30-something musician Vítězslav Mácha, holds the power to decide who makes the lineup, and Karolína soon becomes his favorite. That position, and a romance with the choirmaster, comes not only with perks, but also with a price.

Raw emotions in nuanced and layered storytelling

It Would Be My Dream delves into the roots of the Czech #MeToo movement by examining the insular realm of competitive choir singing. The drama uncovers the intricate layers of rivalry, ambition, and power dynamics that fostered an environment where abuse was both enabled and tolerated. The film scrutinizes how a cult-like atmosphere can distort the perception of circumstances, particularly for young, impressionable girls.

Provazník's screenplay aims to carefully examine the events leading up to the sexual abuse of minors by an authoritative figure. The writer-director walks a fine line, poised to spark debate. He concedes that the story is "cruel yet authentic" to the main character, offering an expansive perspective on both victim and abuser.

The film adeptly draws parallels between two distinct eras – the 90s, when Karolína aspired to join the U.S. tour, and the 00s, when Mácha's trial determined whether he engaged in sexual relationships with his protégés. The bridging of time periods captures the shift in collective and societal awareness – from the unrestrained freedom following the Velvet Revolution to a more discerning approach marked by red flags and boundaries, culminating in the Czech version of the #MeToo movement. This contextual backdrop constitutes the social framing of the film.

Naturalistic yet safe

The psychology of the prepubescent girl is at the forefront of the story, and to maintain authenticity, Provazník cast actual 13-year-old and 15-year-old non-professional actresses, Katěřina Falbrová and Maya Kintera, in the roles of the sisters, making this their on-screen debut. In addition, the leading actress was handpicked from the esteemed Kühn Children's Choir, showcasing a diverse ensemble of young performers. To further elevate the film's sense of accuracy, the singing scenes are filmed without playback, making the soundtrack an inseparable and impactful component of the narrative experience.

It Would Be My Dream astutely explores the juxtaposition of high and low culture, encapsulating the ethereal beauty of choral singing alongside the abhorrent, base actions of sexual predators. The choirmaster is brought to life by the Slovak actor Juraj Loj, known for his prior work as a sidekick and love interest in Agnieszka Holland's period biopic Charlatan (2020).

The director appreciates Loj's bold embrace of a complex character, seamlessly capturing both the charisma and toxicity. Provazník's narrative also delves into the timely conundrum surrounding tainted legacies: whether art, however beautiful, should be disregarded when crafted by an abusive individual. This compelling aspect adds another layer of depth to the film's multifaceted exploration.

In light of the film's delicate themes, the film crew has taken the utmost care to create a secure atmosphere on set, particularly as the majority of the cast consists of young girls. Through thoughtfully orchestrated rehearsals, psychological support, and intimacy coordinators, the production demonstrates a keen sense of responsibility. Parents are also actively involved, attending rehearsals to ensure their children's well-being. Amidst these challenging circumstances, the director commends the newcomers' genuine and stirring performances, even in delicate and difficult scenes.

International potential, social impact

With two-thirds of the filming complete, and the remainder of the principal photography slated for May and June 2023, the producer anticipates the world premiere of It Would Be My Dream in Spring 2024. Lukáš Milota, a rising star among the new generation of cinematographers, lends his talents behind the camera, following his work on Old-Timers and Olmo Omerzu's films.

The narrative unfolds in retrospect, with scenes set in the 90s being shot on 16mm, while the present is captured on a digital camera. Given the period set-up, costumes and set designs with a retro look were needed, and Irena Hradecká, who won a Czech Lion Award for Best Set Design for her work on period biopic Il Boemo (2022), handled the duties of production designer.

It Would Be My Dream is produced by Jiří Konečný of endorfilm, a veteran Czech producer known for his collaboration on Old-Timers, Olmo Omerzu's films, and most recently, the provocative drama Borders of Love (2022). Konečný has also co-produced several festival-trotting arthouse hits such as Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021), 107 Mothers (2021), and I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians (2018). The Czech Film Fund's latest round of support granted the project its highest funding (€600,000), reflecting their faith in Provazník's vision and Konečný's preparation. Czech Television has also joined as a co-producing partner, further solidifying the film's strong foundation.

In a proven collaborative effort, It Would Be My Dream is co-produced by the renowned Slovak production company Punkchart Films, helmed by the award-winning producer-director Ivan Ostrochovský. Garnering praise from the Slovak national funding body, Audiovisual Fund, the film's script was recognized as the best among all submissions, showcasing its immense international potential. Additionally, the Eurimage Executive Committee has granted €235,000 in support, further bolstering the film's global prospects. Though pre-sales for distribution rights are ongoing and a sales agent has yet to be secured, It Would Be My Dream is poised to make a significant impact on the international circuit.

Provazník's distinct directorial approach consistently steers clear of passing judgment or moralizing, even when delving into a contentious issue such as sexual abuse. With It Would Be My Dream, his goal is to craft a timeless narrative, focusing on broader societal implications rather than producing a didactic work. Nevertheless, the film's thorough investigation into real-life cases ensures that it explores multiple dilemmas, offering valuable perspectives for those affected by abuse as they grapple with their experiences, as well as perspectives on how to potentially prevent misconduct.