Jiří Mádl’s acclaimed period drama Waves (Vlny) will finally receive its first North American theatrical release in 2026, a major milestone for the Czech film. The historical feature, which dramatizes the Prague Spring of 1968 through the lens of journalists at Czechoslovak Radio, has been a critical and commercial hit in its home country, drawing audiences with its blend of live-action drama and archival footage.
The film chronicles the Warsaw Pact invasion of Prague, following a team of radio journalists whose broadcasts provided a crucial source of truth during the eight-month occupation. While some fictionalized elements underscore the narrative, Waves is rooted in real events, capturing the tension and uncertainty of the period with meticulous production design and period-accurate detail.
Selected as the Czech Republic’s submission for the 97th Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category, Waves made the 15-film shortlist but did not ultimately receive a nomination. The upcoming US release, led by distributor The Forge, marks a significant opportunity for international audiences to engage with a major work in contemporary Czech cinema.
Czech success and critical reception
Waves premiered at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it won the audience award, and subsequently became a domestic box office sensation. The film attracted 885,767 viewers, surpassing Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and becoming the second-highest-grossing Czech film of all time.
The period drama also earned 15 Czech Lion nominations, winning Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, and the Audience Award. Critics have praised Mádl, previously known in the Czech Republic primarily as a comedic actor, for delivering his most accomplished directorial work to date.
The Prague Reporter highlighted the climactic sequences during the Soviet tank invasion as particularly compelling, noting that “viewers well-versed in Czech history and those completely unfamiliar with the events Waves recount will both find a lot to like here.”
Set within the newsroom of Czechoslovak Radio, the film’s narrative follows fictional characters Tomáš Havlík (Vojtěch Vodochodský) and his teenage brother Pavel (Ondřej Stupka) while intertwining the experiences of real-life journalists. The newsroom team, led by editor Milan Weiner (Stanislav Majer), exposes Soviet propaganda and uncovers corruption, culminating in a gripping finale as their office becomes a target during the invasion.
US distribution caps international run
Rising American distributor The Forge has acquired North American rights to Waves, planning a limited theatrical run in Los Angeles during the second quarter of 2026 before expanding to additional markets and digital platforms. The Forge, founded in 2019 by independent film veteran Mark Mathias Sayre, has gained attention for curating compelling international and independent films, including Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut The Chronology of Water.
The decision to bring Waves to the US market reflects growing interest in Central European historical cinema and underscores the film’s potential appeal beyond Czech audiences. By combining authentic historical material with dramatic storytelling and a soundtrack featuring 1960s Czech and international pop music, the film offers a window into a pivotal moment in Czechoslovak history while maintaining universal resonance.
For U.S. viewers, Waves promises both historical insight and cinematic craftsmanship, highlighting the role of journalists in resisting oppressive regimes—a theme that continues to hold relevance today. With its mix of period detail, political intrigue, and human drama, the film may serve as a benchmark for future Czech releases seeking international distribution.
