A new Czech-Slovak feature film will bring the story of figure skating legend Ondrej Nepela back to cinemas this spring, marking the second major biographical treatment of the athlete to reach local audiences in the past year. ON: Ondrej Nepela (Šampión), directed by Jakub Červenka, is scheduled for release in Czech cinemas on April 9 following a special preview during the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The film arrives less than a year after Nepela, which offered a broader, more traditional biographical overview of the Olympic champion’s life and career. By contrast, ON: Ondrej Nepela narrows its focus to a critical moment in time, framing Nepela’s story through an intense, compressed narrative that unfolds over the course of just two days. The approach reflects a growing tendency in Central European biopics to move away from cradle-to-grave storytelling in favor of psychological studies rooted in specific historical moments.
Produced as a Czech-Slovak co-production involving Czech Television and Radio and Television of Slovakia, the film also underscores the continued interest of public broadcasters and film funds in revisiting cultural and sporting figures whose lives were shaped by the political realities of socialist Czechoslovakia.
Pressure on and off the ice
Rather than retelling Nepela’s well-documented competitive achievements, ON: Ondrej Nepela concentrates on the period surrounding the world championships, when the skater was facing mounting pressure both on and off the ice. The film portrays a young athlete who, after years of representing Czechoslovakia, is increasingly drawn to the possibility of leaving the constraints of the socialist system to join the touring ice show Holiday on Ice.
As Nepela prepares for what may be his final major competition, the narrative explores a conflict that extends beyond sport. The film depicts his internal struggle with fear, doubt and exhaustion, set against the expectations of the state, the public and his own reputation as an undefeated champion. A key dramatic thread involves his longtime coach, Hilda Múdra, who is tasked with helping him regain confidence moments before a decisive performance.
The filmmakers have emphasized that the story is not intended as a celebratory sports drama. Instead, it aims to examine why archival footage from Bratislava shows Nepela responding to victory with restraint rather than visible joy. In doing so, ON: Ondrej Nepela positions success as something complicated and costly, shaped as much by political circumstances as by personal ambition.
Director Červenka describes the film as an exploration of what it meant to be a champion in a society where individual freedom was limited. He frames the relationship between Nepela and Múdra as central, presenting it as both a professional partnership and a shared emotional burden carried under constant scrutiny.
Premiere set for 2026 Olympics
Adam Kubala takes on the role of Ondrej Nepela, portraying him as a reserved and conflicted figure rather than a distant national icon. The role of coach Múdra is played by Jana Nagyová, marking a notable dramatic turn for the actress, best known internationally for her role as the title character in the TV fantasy series Arabela.
The supporting cast includes Martina Jindrová, Miroslav Hanuš, Alexander Bárta, Karel Dobrý, Cyril Dobrý, Roman Luknár and Jozef Vajda, drawing together performers from across the Czech and Slovak film industries. Behind the camera, the creative team features cinematographer Martin Štrba and composer Michal Novinski, both known for work that emphasizes atmosphere and psychological nuance over spectacle.
ON: Ondrej Nepela is closely linked to the sporting world it depicts. The Czech Olympic Academy, the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee and the Slovak Figure Skating Association are all partners on the project. The film will be presented in a special pre-premiere at the Slovak Olympic House in Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympics, situating the release within a contemporary sporting context rather than solely a historical one.
The project has received support from multiple public funding bodies, including the Czech Audiovisual Fund, Slovakia’s Audiovisual Fund, the Prague Film Fund and Creative Europe MEDIA. Distribution in the Czech Republic is being handled by Continental Film.
