The controversial film Choir Masterin which the Slovak actor Juraj Loj played the main character, received an unexpected stoppage. The District Court for Prague 4 banned the television broadcast of the film in the Czech Republic by a preliminary measure. As he writes, the decision is valid until the final verdict is issued. This is the result of a lawsuit filed against the producers by a woman who recognizes herself as one of the victims.
Film director Ondřej Provazník and producer Jiří Konečný respects the court’s decision. “At the same time, we emphasize that the preliminary measure does not constitute a decision on guilt or innocence, it is only a temporary measure until the matter is legally assessed,” said Konečný. As he added, they regret the ban, as the picture itself had a completely different purpose. “The film has always stood on the side of the victims, its purpose is to draw attention to the mechanisms of abuse of power and manipulation and to contribute to prevention,” he added.
Juraj Loj, who plays the main character in the film, did not react as calmly as they did. The actor gave free passage to his emotions. “It’s such a shocking and sad thing… We all made this film with great reverence and respect for the subject and the people involved. Art is not always beautiful, nor is Schindler’s List beautiful, and it is certainly traumatic…” emphasized the artist, who could even win the Czech Lion for the picture. He blew his statue German actor Idan Weiss for his portrayal of Franz Kafka in the film Franz.
The court’s decision did not leave Loj cold. “But the art of the ages sets up an image and a mirror, and if it opens up – if sometimes unpleasant and painful – topics, it is not to hurt, but rather to send a signalthat we are in this together and create something with your story that perhaps goes beyond the art itself or the goal of the given work and can help and heal with its authenticity,” emphasized the Slovak actor. “The absurdity of these days or the sad reality. But I believe in the end, which will be about understanding, humility, recognition and freedom of creation,” he subsequently added.
As many as 49 choir girls were supposed to be the victims
Director and screenwriter Provazník was inspired by the great cause of the Prague girls’ choir Bambini di Praga when creating the film. In 2004, its choirmaster Bohumil Kulínský was accused and finally convicted in connection with the crime of abuse, endangering the education of youth and oppression. His victims were supposed to be 49 choir girls between 1984 and 2004.
Choirmaster is filmed from the point of view of 12-year-old girl Karolína, who gets into the elite choir where her sister Lucia attends. The main one heroine she portrayed 16-year-old Kateřina Falbrová, who was awarded the Czech Lion for her acting performance. Loj did not even think about the offer to star in the film and immediately accepted it. “I knew right away that I wanted to do it because it’s an important topic and it was a huge challenge,” said the actor last year.
According to his own words, he experienced a personal trauma when he saw himself in the film at the ceremonial premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. “Seeing myself on screen, doing what I’m doing there, and how Ondro wrote it, laid it out, shot it, was shocking to me despite knowing the story and shooting it. Every single situation has so many explanations, different subtexts and so many layers that I didn’t expect it. I was shocked by that film, both in a positive and a negative way,” Loj said.
