Dance with the bear is an emotional probe into a partner relationship exposed to a fundamental life test. It sensitively captures the moment when the joy of expecting a child meets fear, uncertainty and pressure from the environment – and when every decision is connected with loss. “My character Eva – the mother of the protagonist, who together with his wife is facing a big dilemma in life – has a clear and firm opinion on how to solve this situation, based on her convictions, values and faith. She is very principled. She is not a large character in scope, but she is very important. The same is true of the heroine’s mother.” explains Zuzana Kronerová.
Dance with the bear – Zuzana Kronerová, representative of Mark’s deeply religious mother
Source:
Etiquette film
The film by Czech director Jitka Rudolfová tells a story about the fragility of human happiness, responsibility and the courage to bear the consequences of one’s own decisions. It is enhanced by the exceptionally strong performances of Pavla Gajdošíková, Kryštof Hádek, Klára Melíšková, Vladimír Javorský, Zuzana Kronerová and Petra Špalková. The Slovak audience can also look forward to Tomáš Palonder or the music of Jonatán (Pjoni) Pastirčák and Martin Štefánik with the accompanying voice of singer Laura Weng. “The film exceeded my expectations. The script is beautiful, but the film itself is very powerful and extremely moving. I think it should be seen by audiences across generations, because it touches on a subject that concerns us all. At the same time, it is a work of significant artistic value.” added the actress.
Dance with the bear
Source:
Etiquette film
With every decision, you lose a piece of yourself
Linda is 20 weeks pregnant when she and her husband Mark find out at a follow-up ultrasound that their daughter has a congenital developmental defect. They have a month left for a possible abortion, but this choice is against their grain. Therefore, they start visiting the parents of children with the same disability and meet Alice, the mother of twelve-year-old Adam. Linda’s worries grow. How to combine motherhood with the career of a very successful violinist? She doesn’t even find support from her mother, who urges her to have an abortion.
In addition, Marek, who works as a transport pilot, suddenly finds himself on unpaid leave. The couple thus faces an ever-increasing crisis, which is gradually intensified by the misunderstanding of those around them for their decision to bring a handicapped child into the world. In a heated argument between them, abortion is mentioned for the first time as a real possibility…
Dance with the bear – Pavla Gajdošíková and Kryštof Hádek as a couple facing a life decision
Source:
Etiquette film
The viewer follows the main characters at the moment when their lives are crumbling, and witnesses their biggest doubts, fears and hopes. “It’s a film about making decisions, about the fact that nothing is black and white,” characterizes Dance with the bear its main representative is Pavla Gajdošíková, who plays the pregnant violinist Linda. Her partner is Kryštof Hádek, who brings his own parental experience and personal sensitivity to the role of Marko. “I’m a father myself, so I’ve also gone through the process of whether everything will be okay. And I have disabled children around me. Having a healthy child is a huge gift, not a given,” says the actor. He admits that filming opened up fundamental questions in him. “It is not at all easy to face the decision that our characters experience,” adds.
Dance with the bear presents a sensitive story that offers truthfulness, exceptional performances by the six holders of the Czech Lions and a sensitive but open treatment of a socially important topic. At the same time, all family relationships change under the burden of a painful discovery. The film shows not only the dilemma of one couple, but above all how fragile human happiness can be and how difficult it is to take responsibility for a new life. Dancing with the Bear was released by Bontonfilm on April 9, 2026.
