Slovak acting legend Zuzana Kronerová belongs to the most prominent voices criticizing the current changes in STVR. The artistic community is watching her closely a radical decision to discontinue cooperation on serial and production projects of the institution. In an interview, she revealed whether her attitude has changed over time and under what conditions she can imagine returning to the cameras of public television.
The artist openly named the specific moment that definitively convinced her of the correctness of her radical step. “This was the last straw, and I’m talking specifically about the open letter of STVR General Director Flašíková. It was a letter in which she wished the artists much success outside the STVR institution,” she emphasized.
He considers the dismissal of key television personalities to be an unforgivable step. She specifically highlighted work Sonia Gyarfašováwhose documentary activity about the heroes of the resistance was described as invaluable, and the long-time chief dramaturg of entertainment Adriana Hanzelová. According to her, however, it is a wider circle of top workers who had to leave television.
She turned her attitude into concrete actions when she was not a guest on her favorite show. “It was the last straw. I refused to participate in the Ladies’ Club show after reading the letter from Mrs. Flašíková. Subsequently, I also refused to act in the series, which has an excellent director. When I announced my decision to the relevant people, they all understood it immediately and did not try to convince me at all.” she described the situation.
She did not want to reveal the details of the upcoming project. “However, I have information that several of my colleagues refused to appear in this series and probably in other works as well. I am very proud of them – those who refused to participate and thus refused to participate in this genocide of free creation in our former public television.” she noted. “It is unimaginable for one person to decide on being and not being in an institution that we, the citizens of the Slovak Republic, pay for,” she said on behalf of STVR director Martina Flašíková.
He sees the whole situation not only as his personal professional split, but as a societal problem that threatens the very foundations of Slovak culture. “I think that this incredible and scandalous situation affects all of us. It is a public institution, it is not the company of Mrs. Flašíková, the ministry, or Mr. Lukáš Machala. They are destroying our culture in such a way that it is a free fall, and it is terrible!” she did not hide her indignation.
Opinion of Ondřej Daniš
Slovak actor Ondřej Daniš in recent years, he filmed several successful projects for STVR, but he also decided not to act in the upcoming series. “Thank you for the invitation to work on this series that you invited me to. I know that I promised to act in it, but I have to tell you the truth that I have a huge moral dilemma with him, because with the current situation that prevails in STVR” he said in a video on social media.
He also spared no criticism of the current management, stressing that setting values is more important to him than a lucrative job offer. “Because I think that these are people who have not created anything and can only destroy, destroy something that someone else creates before them. I know that on my part it might be sawing a branch under myself, but honestly, I would rather play on the street, wearing a hat and arguing with the people around me, than to start working with this kind of people.” snapped the disappointed actor.
Despite the harsh words, he did not definitively slam the door to the public institution. A condition for him is a return to professionalism and expertise. “I believe that you will understand and I will be very happy, whenever the situation changes in STV, RTV, STV… I don’t care what it will be called, but when there will be qualified people who leave some work behind, I will be very happy to return to the television screens of your television. Thank you for your understanding.” concluded Daniš.
