FNE at Czech Lions 2014: Winners: Burning Bush Sweeps Awards

24-02-2014

FNE at Czech Lions 2014: Winners: Burning Bush Sweeps Awards

By Anna Franklin

Burnig Bush by Agnieszka Holland

PRAGUE: Polish director Agnieszka Holland’s acclaimed Burning Bush won 11 Czech Lions in Prague including a best director and best film. The 21 edition of the Czech Lions which was held over Saturday night in Prague (22 February 2014) is the Czech film industry’s national equivalent of the Oscar.

Burning Bush which is about Jan Palach a student who set himself on fire in 1969 in Prague to protest against the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviets stars a top Czech cast. The film also won the award for best screenplay. The win by a Polish director of the top Czech award was unprecedented.
The award for best Czech documentary of 2013 went to Silvie Dymáková ’s Bastards and veteran Czech writer and screenwriter Vladimír Körner received a Lifetime Achievement award for Outstanding contribution to Czech Cinematography.
Holland did not attend the awards ceremony but a video message from the director was projected in the auditorium. She thanked the organisers for the award and said: "I am very happy that I could direct this story that is so important not only for the Czechs and Slovaks, but for me personally." She also thanked all those who fight for freedom and human rights. Holland attended the Czech film school FAMU and was present in Prague during the 1968 Prague Spring which was followed by a harsh government crackdown.
The Burning Bush was originally conceived as a three part mini-series for HBO. The theatrical version of the film was originally submitted as the Czech Republic’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film for the Oscar but it was disqualified by the Academy of Motion Picture Academy because the TV version was broadcast on HBO’s European channels before its theatrical release.
The Czech Lions which were founded by Czech director and producer Petr Vachler more than 20 years ago were held for the first time under new management and at a new venue the Rudolfinum concert hall. The Czech Film and TV Academy took over the staging of the awards after a dispute with Vachler earlier this year over the organisation of the event.

Czech Lion Awards for 2013

Best Film : The Burning Bush
Directed by Agnieszka Holland
Produced by produced by HBO Europe and Nutprodukce Production

Best Director : Agnieszka Holland (Burning Bush)

Best Actor in a Leading Role : George Schmitzer for his role in Like Never Before directed by Zdenek Tyc
Produced by Total Help Art , T.H.A.

Actress in a Leading Role : Petra Špalková for her role in Like Never Before directed by Zdenek Tyc
Produced by Total Help Art T.H.A.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role : Jiri Labus for his role in Clownwise
Directed by Viktor Taus
Produced by Fog’n’Desire Films

Actress in a Supporting Role : Jaroslava Pokorná (Burning Bush)

Best Screenplay: Štěpán Hulík (Burning Bush)

Best Cinematography: Martin Strba (Burning Bush)

Best Music : Antoni Komasa - Lazarkiewicz (Burning Bush)

Best Editing : Pavel Hrdlicka (Burning Bush)

Best Sound : Petr Čechák , Marek Hart (Burning Bush)