Ice hockey is a Czech national obsession, and the country's victory over Russia in the 1969 World Championships, the year following the Soviet invasion, is a celebrated moment in its history. In Marek Najbrt's black comedy, the heroic exploits take place only on a black and white tv screen as a group of representative misfits gather and watch the game in a desolate village on the Czech border. While consisting of recognisable types, Najbrt's bleak portrait reveals a world of alcoholism, debt, racism, bigotry, and infidelity that trails behind the dreams of nationalism and bears little resemblance to the fantasies of the new consumerism. A clever and multi-levelled film, it provides a sharp antidote to the reconciliatory charms of the conventional Czech comedy.
Unfortunately the movie Champions is not yet available on HBO Max.
Directing | Marek Najbrt | Director |
Writing | Marek Najbrt | Screenplay |
Writing | Benjamin Tuček | Screenplay |
Writing | Robert Geisler | Screenplay |
Production | Milan Kuchynka | Producer |
Costume & Make-Up | Jana Dopitová | Makeup & Hair |
Editing | Pavel Hrdlička | Editor |
Directing | Kateřina Oujezdská | First Assistant Director |
Directing | Lukáš Viznar | Assistant Director |
Sound | Jiří Melcher | Sound |
Costume & Make-Up | Andrea Králová | Costume Design |
Sound | Petr Marek | Music |
Camera | Miloslav Holman | Director of Photography |
Production | Pavel Strnad | Producer |
Crew | Kristián Suda | Dramaturgy |
Art | Milan Býček | Production Design |