ACTORS

Characters and Cast
Helena – Kamila Magalova
Karel – Jiri Bartoska
Bohunka – Eva Holubova
Frantisek - Oldrich Kaiser
Kristyna (Helena’s sister) - Nela Boudova
Adam (Helena’s son) – Roman Vojtek
Bela (Adam’s wife) – Martha Issova
Alzbeta - Jaroslava Adamova
Arnost – Arnost Lustig
Bastik – Filip Antonio

Jiri Bartoska - Karel

Jiri Bartoska has earned a place among the most important Czech acting authorities. He has enjoyed a magnificent career in theater, film, and television. A graduate of JAMU in Brno, he had a short stint at Theater on a String, worked from 1973 – 76 at the Drama Studio in Usti nad Labem, and then with the Prague Municipal Theaters. From 1978 – 1991 he was a member of Theater on the Balustrade; from 1991 – 94 at the Theater without a Balustrade. He does not currently have a permanent engagement, but nevertheless excels at the Theater without a Balustrade in such performances as Jakub and his Master and A Long Day’s Journey into Night.

His popularity has earned him the lead in a number of Czech films including Hřiště (Stepan Skalsky, director; 1975), Příběh lásky a cti (Otakar Vavra, director; 1977), Stíny horkého léta (Frantisek Vlacil, director; 1977), and Třetí princ (Antonin Moskalyk, director; 1982), as well as in television series - My všichni školou povinní (1984) and Sanitka (1985).

He has made a come-back in television series in the second season of Dobrá čtvrť, season three of the famous Nemocnice na kraji města, and in the three-part film Vlna (Jiri Svoboda, director). In the early 90s he played one of the lead roles in an adaptation of Paral’s novel Muka obraznosti (Vladimir Drha, director). He appeared in the provocative comedy V žáru královské lásky (Jan Nemec, director; 1990), the poetic film Helimadoe (Jaromil Jires, director 1993), the visually original film Krvavý román (Jaroslav Brabec, director; 1993), as well as in the films Má je pomsta (Lordan Zafranovic, director; 1995), or Stůj, nebo se netrefím (Jiri Chlumsky, director 1998). He has given touching performances in dramas such as Je třeba zabít Sekala (Vladimir Michalek, director; 1998) and Všichni moji blízcí (Matej Minac, director; 1999), for which he won a Czech Lion for Best Supporting Actor. Mr Bartoska has also appeared in the films Početí mého mladšího bratra (Vladimir Drha, director; 1999), Podzimní návrat (George Agathonikiadis, director 2001), Bolero (F. A. Brabec, director; 2004), and Příběhy obyčejného šílenství (Petr Zelenka, director; 2005). Jiri Strach cast him as God in the fairytale comedy Anděl Páně (2005). In 2001 he produced the film Babí léto (Vladimir Michalek, director), which received 4 Czech Lions.

In 1994 he was responsible for saving the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which he continues to run as its president.

Kamila Magalova – Helena

Was born in Bratislava, where she graduated from the VSMU in 1982 and became a member of the Slovak National Theater. In the 80s she appeared regularly in television and films – such as the poetic story Guločky (Jozef Zachar, director; 1982), Falošný princ (Dusan Rapos, director; 1984), and the psychological film Začiatok sezóny (Zoro Zahon, director; 1987). Nowadays in addition to her work as an actress she serves as Ambassador to UNICEF and is president of the Foundation for the Protection of Horses.

Oldrich Kaiser – Frantisek

Oldrich Kaiser is a graduate of the Brno Conservatory and DAMU in Prague. After graduation he joined the Vinohrady Theater, where he had a seven-year engagement. In 1985 he switched to the Ypsilon Theater. In 1993 he became a member of the National Theater.

Karel Kachyna discovered Mr Kaiser when he was still attending the Brno Conservatory, casting him as the lead in the film Láska (1972). At the outset of his film career, Mr Kaiser was chosen to play romantic young men and lovers in such films as Zrcadlo pro Kristýnu (Jiri Svoboda, director; 1975) and Setkání v červenci (Karel Kachyna, director; 1978). In the early 80s Mr Kaiser played the lead, a racecar driver, in Snech o Zambezi (Stanislav Strnad, director; 1982), a role which still bore similarity to the characters he had already been playing. In Zdenek Podskalsky’s Revui na zakázku (1982) he appeared on screen with Jiri Labus, but his comedic talent, which directors Vorlicek and Troska put to use in their films, had already become predominant. Mr Kaiser played comic roles in the films Rumburak (Vaclav Vorlicek, director; 1984), Já nejsem já (Vaclav Vorlicek, director; 1985), Velká filmová loupež (Oldrich Lipsky, Zdenek Podskalsky, directors; 1986), and in the final film of Trosek’s trilogy Slunce, seno, erotika (1991). Mr Kaiser joined forces with Jiri Labus to create an unforgettable comedy duo, beloved by television viewers and radio listeners alike, with the endless series The Tluchorovic Family.

In the 90s Mr Kaiser captivated audiences in Michalek’s debut Amerika (1994). After a lengthy hiatus he returned in style in Sverak’s Tmavomodrý svět (2001). He played the role of a weirdo who watches the world from his ground-floor apartment in the film Žralok v hlavě (Maria Prochazkova, director; 2005). His biggest role in recent years, however, has been that of Jan Dite in Menzel’s adaptation of B. Hrabal’s famous book Obsluhoval jsem anglického krále (2006).

Eva Holubova – Bohunka

Eva Holubova makes use of her outstanding comedic talent as a member of the theaters Cellar, Mimosa, and the National Theater as well as at theatrical fairs with the Vanova family. She had a permanent engagement at Theater on the Balustrade, and entertained spectators in hundreds of reprises of the Jan Kraus’ theatrical comedy Nahnilicko. We can also see her in theatrical performances Studio Two Madame Melville and Bara and Klara.

She first appeared on the big screen under the direction of Tomas Vorel in the short comedy To můj Láďa (1981). Today Ms Holubova is one of the busiest actresses in Czech film. In 1997 she wowed audiences with her performance in Knoflíkáři directed by Petr Zelenka. People also connect her with Jan Hrebejk’s comedies Pelíšky (1999) and Pupendo (2003). She holds a Czech Lion for Best Supporting Actress in Alice Nellis’ Ene bene (2000). She regularly appears in films directed by Tomas Vorel, including Cesta z města (2000), Z mesta cesta (2002), Skřítek (2005), and Gympl (2007). Ms Holubova also acted in Marie Polednakova’s comedy Jak se krotí krokodýli (2006). She won the Best Actress award at the Tribeca Film Festival for her role as the mother in Jiri Vejdelek’s film Účastníci zájezdu (2006). She also played a mother in Patrik Hartl’s film Taková normální rodinka (2007).

Martha Issova – Bela

Ms Issova is one of the most talented and busiest young Czech actresses today. She comes from an artistic family (her mother is an actress; her father a director). She studied at, but did not complete, the Conservatory, and touts her talent at various theaters including Dejvice Theater, where she currently has an engagement. Her popularity has garnered her work in television films and series – Hop nebo trop, Dobrá čtvrť, Náves. In 1999 she made her film debut in Karel Kachyna’s Hanele. Ms Issova first appeared in minor roles in Početí mého mladšího bratra (Vladimir Drha, director; 2000), Děvčátko (Benjamin Tucek, director; 2002), Hrubeš and Mareš jsou kamarádi do deště (Vladimir Moravek, director; 2005). She was nominated for a Czech Lion for her role in Tajnosti (Alice Nellis, director; 2007); she received a Crystal Globe for Best Actress at the 43rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for her role as Ofka in the film Děti noci (Michaela Pavlatova, director; 2008).

Roman Vojtek – Adam

This actor, singer, dancer, and moderator received his education at JAMU in Brno, where he majored in musical theater. While still a student he performed in a number of productions at the Brno City Theater, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Bastard, and The Pot that Works Wonders. He eventually joined the theater’s company, and appeared in musicals such as Raduz and Mahulena and West Side Story (in ’97 he was nominated for a Thalie Award for his role as Tony). Roman’s Prague appearances include the musicals Grease, Monte Cristo, and Dracula, and he has also performed at the Karlin Musical Theater in West Side Story, A Night at Karlstejn, and The Producers (Thalie nominee 2007). He is also in the cast of the musical Jack the Ripper and at Radek Brzobohaty’s theater in the musical comedy I Love You, But… He made history as the first winner of the dance show Star Dance – When the Stars Dance. He has appeared in a number of children’s television shows (including O bojácném Floriánkovi, 1998; Zakletý vrch, 1999; Pekelná maturita, 2002; O uloupené divožence, 2007). He is currently a cast member in the series Ulice. He played the role of the priest in Dusan Klein’s comedy Svatba na bitevním poli (2008).

Nela Boudova - Kristyna

After graduating from the State Conservatory Ms Boudova had engagements in Karlovy Vary, at the South Bohemia Theater in Ceske Budejovice and at Prague’s Theater Beyond the Gate II. In 1993 she became a permanent member of the company at Prague’s Drama Club. She kicked off her film career in the mid 80s. Her filmography includes: Mravenci nesou smrt (Zbynek Brynych, director; 1985), Dotyky (Vladimir Drha, director; 1988), Muka obraznosti (Vladimir Drha, director; 1989), Jestřábí moudrost (Vladimir Drha, director; 1989). In 1996 she played Ondrej Vetchy’s wife in Jan Sverak’s film Kolja.

She has also acted in a number of television productions and films – such as Hadí tanec (2005, Petr Slavik) and series – most recently in Místo nahoře (2004), Náměstíčko (2004), and Horákovi (2006).

In 2005 she appeared in the black comedy Do blba! (Petr Vachler, dir.), and in a comedy of a similar genre Po hlavě do prdele (Marcel Bystron, dir.). In 2007 she acted in Jan Sverak’s comedy Vratné lahve. Nela Boudova has extensive experience in dubbing – she regularly plays the voices of Julia Roberts, Melanie Griffith, and Jodie Foster. We can also hear her on Czech Television’s Sex in the City, where she dubs Miranda. In 2008 she published her first children’s book Eliska and the Beadlings.

Jaroslava Adamova – Alzbeta

With a prolific career in theater in film, Ms Adamova is considered a legend. She began her career at small Prague theaters, only to become a fundamental cast member at the ABC Theater and, later, the Prague Metropolitan Theaters. Ms Adamova has a remarkable repertoire, encompassing intensely dramatic and tragic roles, the fine art of conversational dramatics, and comic roles, where she applies her gift for grotesque levity and irony. Jiri Frejka, Alfred Radok, Jan Werich, and Ota Ornest have all influenced her career. Even more than theater, television has made use of her exceptional acting ability – her earlier performances include the unforgettable television film Kočár nejsvětější svátosti (Frantisek Filip, dir., 1962), where she played alongside Jan Werich. Her latest roles include the film Společnice(dir. Zuzana Zemanova, 2000), in which Tatiana Vilhelmova plays her partner. Ondrej Trojan offered her an exceptional cinematographic opportunity in the film Želary (2003) – she was nominated for a Czech Lion for her performance. Adamova was awarded a Frantisek Filipovsky Award for her lifetime achievements in dubbing. In 1996 she received a Thalie Award for her lifetime achievements in acting; the Czech President awarded her a Medal of Merit. In addition to You Kiss Like God, in 2008 she appeared in the film Vnučka.

Arnost Lustig - Arnost

Mr Lustig holds a place among the most prominent of Czech writers and publicists whose work has achieved international renown. He was born in Prague, and his father owned a small business. Starting in childhood Mr Lustig had to come to terms with racial discrimination because of his Jewish background. During WWII he spent time in a number of concentration camps. In 1945 he miraculously escaped from a death transport and hid in Prague. Mr Lustig lost nearly his entire family in the Holocaust. Beginning with his earliest collections of stories it is precisely Jewish and WWII themes that his works have addressed. After the War he worked as a journalist and as a screenwriter. One of the screenplays he has written is based on his novel A Prayer for Katerina Horovitzova. After 1968 he emigrated to Yugoslavia, then lived in Israel, finally settling in the USA. Following 1989 he returned to the Czech Republic, where he has focused his efforts on journalism and writing, and has even been the Editor-in-Chief of the Czech version of Playboy. His most significant literary works include Diamonds of the Night (Director Jan Nemec’s film version from 1964 is considered a groundbreaking achievement in Czech cinematography), Dita Saxova, Transport from Paradise, and A Prayer for Katerina Horovitzova. In October 2008 he received the Franz Kafka Award.

Filip Antonio – Bastik

Filip was born on September 2, 1993, under the sign of Virgo. His gifts for acting and music were readily apparent from a very young age. He became the youngest participant in courses for young pianists in Pisek, where he studies with Professor Jana Korbelova. He sings and performs in Kuhn’s Children’s Chorus. He first stood before the camera in the series Bazén when he was just 18 months old. He currently has a minor role in the popular series Velmi křehké vztahy. Filip Antonio inarguably inherited his musical and acting talents from his mother, Dita Horinkova, who sings in musicals and operettas, and strongly supports his efforts. Dita Horinkova has performed in the musicals Cats, Miss Saigon, Romeo and Juliet, Cabaret, and in the operettas Cardas’ Princess and My Fair Lady, where she played Liza Doolittle. She also sings in concert with violin virtuoso Jaroslav Svecny and pianist Pavel Vetrovec. At this time Filip Antonio and his mother Dita are making a CD of playful songs for children.