Czech director Rudolf Havlík, known for contemporary comedies that balance humor with emotional storytelling, has finished production on his latest film, Na horách (which translates as In the Mountains). Unlike his previous international shoots in Thailand and Bali for Island (Ostrov) and Treasure (Poklad), Havlík returned to a domestic setting, filming in the Krkonoše Mountains (or Giant Mountains) in northern Czechia.
The new comedy centers on the mountain rescue service and life in the Czech highlands, with a cast led by Aneta Krejčíková and Igor Orozovič. It is scheduled to premiere in Czech cinemas on Nov. 27, with the first trailer and poster unveiled this week. Havlík has described the film as a story that mixes lighthearted humor with moments of drama, reflecting both the beauty and unpredictability of life in the mountains.
Czech mountain life
Na horách follows Lucie (Krejčíková), a young woman from the city who inherits a mountain cabin from her late father Karel (Saša Rašilov), a former head of the mountain rescue service. Intending to settle the inheritance quickly, she discovers that the cabin is inhabited by Matěj (Orozovič), a mountain rescuer, along with his dog Bedřich and a small community who manage the site as a lodge for school trips.
As Lucie adapts to an unfamiliar rural setting, she confronts questions of identity, belonging, and responsibility, while navigating her relationship with Matěj and the other residents. Havlík has said the film explores “love, friendship, and lost lives that found a new purpose,” aiming to capture both comedic and dramatic aspects of human interaction in challenging environments.
Supporting roles feature Veronika Khek Kubařová, Adéla Gondíková, Jan Dolanský, and Ondřej Pavelka, expanding a cast of well-known Czech actors. The script was co-written by Havlík with Lucie Korcová, who were inspired by real mountain rescuers whom the filmmakers sought to portray with respect and authenticity.
Czech comedy driving local box office
Director Havlík, originally from Sokolov, has built a reputation as one of Czechia’s most commercially successful directors in recent years. His previous films include Fairy Tales for Emma (Pohádky pro Emu), What Men Long For (Po čem muži touží), and Sweethearts (Bábovky), all of which attracted significant audiences. With Na horách, he shifts from exotic backdrops to a distinctly Czech environment, while maintaining the comedic framework that has defined much of his career.
The film arrives at a time when domestic comedies remain among the strongest performers at the Czech box office. Patrik Hartl’s Bet on Friendship (Prvok, Šampón, Tečka a Karel) drew nearly 600,000 viewers in 2021, while Vyšehrad: Fylm became the top-grossing local release of 2022 with more than 692,000 admissions. These successes underline the genre’s ability to connect with Czech audiences, providing a reliable counterweight to imported blockbusters.
By focusing on mountain life and the work of the rescue service, Na horách introduces a setting less commonly seen in mainstream Czech film, offering both a regional dimension and a thematic exploration of community, resilience, and the balance between city and rural life. For Havlík, the film represents a continuation of his effort to craft stories that resonate with wide audiences while drawing on distinctive Czech cultural contexts.
Na horách opens in Czech cinemas on Nov. 27.
Lead photo: Igor Orozovič in Na horách (2025). Photo © Michaela Rusaňuková / Donart Film
