The public broadcaster is preparing a new project for broadcast, which will be presented to the public for the first time outside of television screens. The nine-part series titled Na tělo will have its world premiere at this year's Litomyšl Fest. Viewers will see the first two episodes, totaling 106 minutes, on Thursday, July 30, in the premises of the local Riding Hall.
The novelty was created under the direction of Jan Hřebejk, for whom this is the first collaboration with screenwriter Martina Formanová. The series is conceived as a satirical relationship comedy that focuses on the theme of mid-life crisis and the confrontation of the adult world with their adolescent children. According to the creators, it genre-wise moves on the border of drama and comedy, utilizing elements of absurdity in everyday situations.
“The source material comes from an author I haven't worked with before, even though we've known each other for almost forty years. So the series reflects my current form and what interests us,” said director Jan Hřebejk about the project.
Creative producer of Czech Television Josef Viewegh highlights the quality of dialogues and Martina Formanová's literary work. According to him, the series manages to capture serious themes with lightness. The screenwriter herself describes the chosen approach as “a way of looking at the world that is nicer and more pleasant,” likening it to putting on rose-tinted glasses instead of dark ones.
The cast of the series relies on prominent names in Czech film and theater. Featured in main and supporting roles are, for example, Tatiana Dyková, Slávek Horák, Tomáš Měcháček, Klára Issová, and Lucie Žáčková. The acting ensemble is complemented by experienced actors such as Bolek Polívka, Jiří Schmitzer, Zuzana Bydžovská, and Iva Janžurová. Marek Janda was behind the camera, and the visual design of the set was designed by architect Jan Vlasák.
With this step, Czech Television continues the trend of presenting its key projects at major cultural festivals before their deployment in the television program. After the premiere in Litomyšl, the series is expected to be included in the broadcast schedule, but the exact date of the television premiere has not yet been specified.
photo: ČT Marie Anna Barakova