The new Czech film Invincibles (Neporazitelní), a drama inspired by the 2019 Para Ice Hockey World Championships in Ostrava, received a prominent audience this week when President Petr Pavel hosted a private screening at Prague Castle. The event brought together the film’s creative team, cast members, and invited guests for an early look at a project positioned to spark broader discussion about inclusion in Czech sport and society.
Pavel, who has frequently voiced support for para athletes and attended international para sporting events in the past, described the film as a compelling reminder of the value of equal opportunities. Following the screening, he emphasized that the story’s core message resonates beyond athletics, highlighting the personal resilience of individuals navigating life-changing obstacles.
Directed by Dan Pánek, the movie follows three characters whose lives intersect under difficult circumstances and ultimately converge within the world of para ice hockey. While drawing on real events, Invincibles uses fictional storytelling to explore themes of solidarity, loss, and second chances.
In a recent review of the film, The Prague Reporter says that Invincibles “earns its crowd-pleasing uplift, offering audiences both stirring sports drama and a reminder that life’s setbacks don’t define you—how you respond to them does.”
Presidential screening underscores social themes
Pavel’s appearance at the Castle screening functioned as both a symbolic and public acknowledgment of the film’s social relevance. In remarks after the event, he said the film offered “a strong societal appeal,” noting its emphasis on creating environments where individuals can “develop their potential regardless of handicap.”
The president’s comments placed the screening within ongoing discussions about accessibility and inclusion in the Czech Republic. He highlighted the film’s portrayal of para sport culture as particularly authentic. According to Pavel, the sense of cohesion among para athletes—often shaped by shared experiences of adversity—was “very strong” on screen.
He added that the film captured an atmosphere that is “often even more intense than in sport without handicap,” reinforcing the importance of recognizing para athletes not only for their athletic achievements but also for the resilience and determination that define their sporting environment.
Pavel’s engagement with para sports has extended beyond ceremonial appearances, and his reaction to Invincibles suggests that the film may contribute to the visibility of para athletic communities. While the film is not a documentary, its grounding in real events from the 2019 championships aligns with broader public conversations about how sport can serve as a platform for inclusion.
A character-driven portrayal of resilience
Invincibles centers on three protagonists whose personal crises lead them to para ice hockey. Petr Fišer, portrayed by Hynek Čermák, is a successful businessman facing the unraveling of his family life. Coach Robert “Bob” Krulich, played by Ivan Trojan, struggles with professional and personal setbacks that have pushed him to the margins. The third main character, Radim Musil—played by Tomáš Havlínek—must rebuild his life after a violent assault forces an abrupt end to his previous athletic ambitions.
Rather than relying on sentimentality, the film employs grounded performances and subdued storytelling to examine how individuals navigate trauma and recovery. The creators emphasize that Invincibles is not a narrative about competitive victory, but about internal triumph and the rediscovery of purpose. Director Pánek has described the film as a story about “dreams that seem lost” and the ability to rise again when “everything appears to be ending.”
The filmmakers also sought to authentically recreate para ice hockey environments, working closely with athletes and advisors to reflect the sport’s intensity and community dynamics. Cinematographer Jan Baset Střítežský and editor Olina Kaufmanová shape the film’s visual and narrative rhythm, while the creative team—including screenwriter Martin Beinhauer and producers Jan Lengyel and Petr Jákl—bring together a broad set of Czech and international collaborators.
Backed in part by Czech Television and supported by regional partners in Ostrava and Moravia-Silesia, Invincibles enters cinemas positioned as both a sports drama and a socially engaged film. Pavel’s presence at the Prague Castle screening, along with his remarks afterward, signals potential public interest in how Czech cinema portrays stories of perseverance, disability, and community.
Lead photo: Petr Pavel during the Invincibles screening courtesy Facebook / Falcon filmové novinky
