Nepela, a new Czech-Slovak-Polish co-production will bring to cinemas the little-known personal story behind one of Czechoslovakia’s greatest sports icons. Opening in Czech and Slovak theaters on Oct. 30 through CinemArt, the film follows Olympic figure skater Ondrej Nepela as he grapples with fame, identity, and political repression during the height of his career in the early 1970s.
Written and directed by Slovak filmmaker Gregor Valentovič in his feature debut, Nepela is the result of nearly five years of development and production. The film stars Czech actor Josef Trojan (Franz) as Nepela, alongside Zuzana Mauréry as his coach Hilda Múdra and Antonie Formanová as his close friend, figure skater Hana Mašková. The project was produced by Punkchart Films, Cinetim Film, and IN Film Praha, with co-production support from several Central European partners.
Valentovič began developing the screenplay during the pandemic, motivated by what he described as a desire to “understand the inner life of a man who seemed outwardly perfect.” The story opens after Nepela’s 1972 Olympic triumph in Sapporo, tracing his return to socialist Czechoslovakia and his growing disillusionment with a system that both celebrated and confined him.
Reconstructing a hidden struggle
While Nepela is remembered as a modest and disciplined champion—named Slovakia’s most successful athlete of the 20th century in 2000—the film presents a more introspective view. It explores the emotional toll of being a young celebrity under political scrutiny and the conflict between public duty and personal truth.
For Trojan, portraying the skater was a challenge that extended far beyond the rink. “I’m in every shot of this film,” he said. “It was an enormous responsibility to stay emotionally honest from beginning to end.” To prepare, the actor trained in figure skating for six months and learned Slovak to better capture Nepela’s voice and mannerisms.
Veteran actress Mauréry, who portrays Múdra, praised Valentovič’s ability to balance precision and empathy. “He doesn’t over-explain scenes,” she said. “He knows how to motivate an actor and build trust. It’s rare to feel that kind of direction on set.”
Producer Ivan Ostrochovský described the film as an effort to reintroduce Nepela’s story to audiences who may only know his name. “He remains an inspirational figure decades after his success,” Ostrochovský said. “Our goal was to bring viewers closer to the person behind the legend.”
The production also reflects a broader regional collaboration in Central European cinema. Alongside its Czech and Slovak backers, Nepela was supported by Poland’s Film Institute and the European Union’s Creative Europe MEDIA program, with cinematography by Adam Suzin and an original score by Mary Komasa and Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz.
From Olympic ice to personal exile
Nepela focuses on the year following the 1972 Winter Olympics, when the skater’s growing desire for independence collided with the expectations of a regime that prized conformity. The film dramatizes his struggle to leave for the touring ice show Holiday on Ice, a decision ultimately allowed only after months of political obstruction.
Through this period, the film also portrays the emotional aftermath of Hana Mašková’s death—another national skating star whose loss deeply affected Nepela. By intertwining personal and political threads, the film seeks to illuminate how even success could become a form of confinement under authoritarianism.
For Valentovič, the film is both historical and universal. “It’s about what it means to live truthfully when everything around you demands silence,” he said. “Nepela’s story may belong to another era, but his longing for freedom feels timeless.”
Nepela premieres in Czech and Slovak cinemas on Oct. 30, distributed by CinemArt.
