The 21st annual Cinematik International Film Festival in Piešťany will open with the highly anticipated historical drama General Golian. Director Juraj Štepka's new film will offer audiences a portrait of one of the most significant figures in modern Slovak history, while also reminding us that the fight for freedom and democracy is not a theme of the past, but also of the present. The historical film will have its gala world premiere at the festival, with the creators and cast in attendance.
The film returns to the period of the Slovak National Uprising and, through the character of General Ján Golian, brings to life the dramatic events that fundamentally influenced the history of Slovakia. However, it does not focus solely on military decisions, but also on the personal dilemmas of a man carrying responsibility for the fates of thousands of people.
„I saw General Golian a few months ago and was immediately convinced that it was a film that should be seen by the widest possible audience. At a time when Europe is once again facing a rise in extremism, the relativisation of history, and neo-Nazi expressions, I consider the creation of such a film to be extremely important. I appreciate that the creators do not try to lecture the viewer or create a simplistic historical interpretation. Instead, they bring a strong cinematic story that shows the price of courage, responsibility, and freedom. It is precisely such films that can remind us that history is not a closed chapter, but constantly influences our present.“ says festival programme team member, Peter Konečný.
The film's historical authenticity is enhanced by its emphasis on period details, production design, and naturalistic acting, which transform the story from a mere reconstruction of significant events into an intense human drama. The strong international cast includes Milan Mikulčík, Ondřej Brzobohatý, Juraj Bača, Dominika Morávková, as well as Robert Ritter, Rainer Wöss, Zoe Straub, and others. The multicultural dimension of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) is further highlighted by the fact that the film features six languages: Slovak, Czech, German, Russian, French, and English.
According to Peter Konečný, it is a film that fully deserves its position as the opening title: „Cinematik has long supported Slovak films that manage to address important social issues. General Golian is not only a well-made historical drama, but also a reminder of the values on which a democratic society stands. I am convinced that its screening at the festival's opening is a symbolic gesture and a clear message that quality cinematography can also be a powerful social statement.“
The film's first teaser also confirms the high public interest. Within the first few days of its release, it garnered over 100,000 views on YouTube alone, making it one of the most-watched previews of Slovak films in recent times. The high viewership suggests that the historical drama General Golian is among the most anticipated domestic film events of this year.
Bringing audiences premieres of the most significant Slovak films has long been among the fundamental missions of the International Film Festival Cinematik. The opening of the 21st edition with the title *General Golian* continues the tradition of screening domestic films that not only have high artistic ambitions but also resonate in broader societal discussions. Cinematik will present the most premieres of Slovak and co-produced cinema films of all domestic festivals.
The Cinematik International Film Festival will take place this year from 8th to 13th September, and its six-day programme will bring dozens of unique film experiences and offer an unrivalled programme in Slovakia.