14/02/2025 - Two Slovak-Czech teams are shooting biopics in parallel about the Slovak legend 36 years after his untimely death

l-r: Adam Kubala in Jakub Červenka's Nepela (© Radek Miča) and Josef Trojan in Gregor Valentovič's Nepela (© CinemArt)

The story of Slovak figure skater Ondrej Nepela, who represented Czechoslovakia and became the 1972 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion and a five-time European champion, is being adapted for the big screen for the first time since his death 36 years ago. Surprisingly, his life and legacy are being portrayed not once, but twice, as Slovak and Czech filmmaking teams are simultaneously working on biopics under the same title, Nepela.

One project, directed by Czech filmmaker Jakub Červenka (Talks with T.G. Masaryk [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), focuses on 24 pivotal hours in Nepela’s life. Co-written by Červenka and Nina Morgenstein, the story follows the figure skater, who was closeted at the time, and portrays a young man grappling with personal and political pressures within the confines of Czechoslovakia’s restrictive regime. The film aims to underpin his struggle for freedom, both as an individual yearning for self-determination, and as someone seeking to live openly without fear of his sexual orientation being exposed and exploited by the regime. “Nepela is an auteur project we have been working on since 2018. It is a period film portraying a young man’s fight for personal freedom and self-determination. We believe his story remains relevant today, resonating not only with those who remember the era, but also with younger audiences,” producer Petr Kratochvíl told Cineuropa.

The role of Nepela is played by young Slovak actor Adam Kubala, while his coach, Hilda Múdra, is portrayed by Slovak actress Jana Nagyová (Prince Mama's Boy). The cast also includes Czech and Slovak actors Karel Dobrý, Cyril Dobrý, Roman Luknár, Miroslav Hanuš, Peter Bebjak, Eva Lehotská and Martina Jindrová. Key members of the creative team include cinematographer Martin Štrba (The Painted Bird [+see also:
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trailer
interview: Václav Marhoul
film profile]), costume designer Katarína Štrbová-Bieliková (The Hungarian Dressmaker [+see also:
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interview: Iveta Grófová
film profile]) and make-up artist Juraj Steiner (Kryštof [+see also:
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film profile]). Principal photography is ongoing and is scheduled to conclude by mid-April, with post-production set to continue until December. The premiere is anticipated in February 2026.

The second biopic is being developed under Slovak producer Ivan Ostrochovský (Servants [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ivan Ostrochovský
film profile]) and marks the feature debut by young Slovak director Gregor Valentovič, who is also working on his project Twentyseven (see the report). Valentovič’s film focuses on the critical years of 1972 and 1973, when Nepela, despite his desire to retire, was pressured by the communist regime to continue competing for propaganda purposes. “I’ve always been fascinated by his ethereal, elusive persona. I realised it was essential to make a film about him. His story of longing for escape and freedom during the complicated era of normalisation remains relevant even today,” Valentovič explained.

In Gregovič´s version, Nepela is portrayed by Czech actor Josef Trojan (Charlatan [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Agnieszka Holland
film profile]), while Slovak actress Zuzana Mauréry (The Teacher [+see also:
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trailer
interview: Jan Hřebejk
film profile]) takes on the role of Hilda Múdra. The creative team includes Polish DoP Adam Suzin, who recently worked on Tereza Nvotová’s forthcoming drama Father, Slovak editor Roman Kelemen (The Sailor [+see also:
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trailer
film profile]), costume designer Helena Tavelová (Brutal Heat [+see also:
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interview: Albert Hospodářský
film profile]), and production designers Dorota Volfová and Brigita Teplánová (Perla [+see also:
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interview: Alexandra Makarová
film profile]). Ostrochovský acknowledged the unique situation of two films being made simultaneously about Nepela, remarking, “It’s interesting that two creative teams have taken notice of Nepela’s story. In the near future, two films about him will be made. Nepela was such an extraordinary athlete that he certainly deserves two movies.” Valentovič´s film is scheduled for a local theatrical release in 2025.

Červenka’s Nepela is being co-produced on the Czech side by Bedna Films, Czech Television and PFX, and on the Slovak side by B Production and Novinski, while Slovak Television and Radio is in negotiations. The Czech Audiovisual Fund, Slovak Audiovisual Fund and Creative Europe – MEDIA supported the film. The domestic distributor is Continental Film.

Valentovič’s Nepela, meanwhile, is being produced by Punkchart Films and InFilm Praha, and co-produced by CinemArt. The Slovak Audiovisual Fund and Creative Europe – MEDIA supported the movie. CinemArt is the local distributor.