True Story

Ivona Remundová talks to producer Olha Beskhmelnytsina about her latest project, Cuba and Alaska, a documentary by director Yegor Troianovsky. The film follows two young and brave female paramedics on the frontlines of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through their perspective, the documentary offers a rare and deeply personal look at the war, highlighting the resilience, strength, and unbreakable spirit of women in combat. Olha discusses the challenges of filming in war zones, the unique female perspective on the conflict, and the hopes and dreams that persist even in the darkest of times.

In this episode Ivona Remundová sits down with award-winning Moldovan filmmaker Olga Lucovnícova live from East Doc Platform 2024. Together, they explore Olga's journey from her post-Soviet upbringing to her unexpected pivot from accounting to documentary filmmaking. Olga shares how her experiences shaped her storytelling and allowed her to investigate echoes of Soviet history through a fresh lens. They discuss Olga's critically acclaimed short film Object 817, a gripping portrayal of a nuclear accident site in the Russian Urals intertwined with myths of alien encounters. The conversation dives into the fascinating yet unsettling realities of nuclear waste, military secrecy, and the enduring impact on local communities. Olga also reflects on her international education, her path to settling in Belgium, and the inspiration behind her feature-length documentary, Last Letters from My Grandma, developed at Ex Oriente Film 2021 and now on the global festival circuit. Listen now to uncover Olga’s captivating stories of resilience, discovery, and creativity in the face of historical shadows.

Join host Nicole Edelman as she sits down with Czech director Marie-Magdalena Kochová to dive deep into her poignant new film, The Other One. Marie-Magdalena shares her personal journey and the challenges of depicting the life of an 18-year-old girl grappling with the complexities of having a sibling with atypical autism. Discover the heartfelt process behind casting Johana, the film’s protagonist, and the broader implications for siblings of individuals with disabilities. Marie-Magdalena opens up about the need for systemic support for these "glass children" and the importance of empathy and understanding through storytelling. Tune in to learn about the impact of her work and how it aims to shed light on this often-overlooked issue.

Join host Ivona Remundová on the True Story podcast, brought to you by the Institute of Documentary Film in Prague, as she delves into the fascinating world of docuseries with acclaimed filmmakers Justin Webster and Stefano Strocchi. Recorded during the East Doc Platform 2024, this episode explores the origins, rise, and narrative techniques that have shaped the booming docuseries genre. Discover the impact of groundbreaking works like "The Staircase" and "Making a Murderer," and learn about the evolving role of platforms and public broadcasters in documentary production. Tune in for an insightful discussion on storytelling, character development, and the future of documentary filmmaking.

During the East Doc Platform 2024, Ivona Remundová sat down with the director Aneta Ptak to discuss her project Birdie. Birdie is an Ex Oriente Film 2023 alumni and the winner of the East Doc Platform 2024 Award.  An unexpected series of events throws Aneta off guard and in one sudden blast sweeps away from her life two most important men – her father and her husband. The unwanted breakup of her marriage triggered by the unforeseen death of her dad forced her to search for consolation through the relationship with her camera. As she turns the lens on herself she recognises how oblivious she was to the fact that her once beloved husband is in reality a sexual predator and brainwashing cult leader. Aneta uses her right as the filmmaker to claim the narrative and liberate herself from the influence of false personas of masters.

International expert in project development who left a considerable mark on the global documentary industry, tutor and visionary entrepreneur Mikael Opstrup and experienced director, Ex Oriente tutor and one of the founding members of the Institute of Documentary Film Ivana Pauerová Miloševičová set down with our host Ivona Remundová to talk about the two decades of documentary film training. What did they learn by teaching others? What are the issues of the industry they see over and over again? How did the Central and Eastern European documentary industry change?

Eluned Zoë Aiano and Alesandra Tatić discuss in our podcast their approach as filmmakers, based on the bonds of intimacy and trust established with the protagonists over the years. Throughout the filming process of the film Flotacija, the directors have strived to portray the protagonists and their culture in an ethical and respectful manner, while also showing how the privatization of the mine and real estate has affected their lives. The story of the film started almost 9 years ago, initially focused on the topic of dragon hunting in the Serbian Vlach community. As filmmakers grew closer to the protagonists, they realized that the people of Majdanpek themselves and the social context they are embedded in are what truly make the situation interesting and relevant to the wider world. “Flotacija”, in English literally “froth flotation”, is a process used in industrial mining to separate minerals from ore, which produces otherworldly black bubbles that simmer in pits.

With director Ana Maria Vijdea about her short documentary film May the Earth Become the Sky, portrait of 48-years old woman who is trapped between two worlds, awarded by the Institute of Documentary Film at Ji.hlava IDFF 2022.  The interview was conducted by Ivona Remundová.

Nicole Jennifer Adelman talks with Kumjana Novakova about her new powerful film - Silence of Reason. The film focuses on one case of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, known as the Foča Rape Camps trial. Silence of Reason celebrates the strength of the women survivors and amplifies their voices.  Listen to the latest True Story episode and learn how significant was the court case in the fight against sexual slavery, violence against women and war crimes, and what led Kumjana to work on such a hard but important topic.

With Piotr Rosołowski, co-director of The Hamlet Syndrome, about a generation of Ukrainians confronting their war trauma and tackling the painful past.

With Emilia Mazik (Kaboom Animation Festival) and Mathieu Janssen (Go Short) about short films, festivals and current trends.

With director Kateryna Ruzhyna about her short documentary Avitaminosis, a self-portrait of a young Ukrainian filmmaker searching for liberation in Georgia, awarded by the Institute of Documentary Film at Ji.hlava IDFF 2022.

Director Ivo Bystřičan talks about the "field-recording" of his film Invisible Landscapes in which he focuses on "future critical infrastructure and breaking points through sound".

With director Tomáš Kratochvíl about his new film Pongo Calling about Štefan Pongo, a Roma lorry driver. The film was premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest and was awarded at Ake Dikhea? Festival of Romani Film.

With Nikita Lavretski, "an abrasive and indelible comedic voice from Belarus", about his film A Date in Minsk, a one-take documentary which re-stages director's first date. The film was awarded at doclisboa 2022.

With director Botond Püsök about his process of creating Too Close, a documentary about Andrea, a single mother living in Romanian village, whose 10-year-old daughter was sexually abused by none other than Andrea’s partner, the stepfather of the girl. The film was developed within the Ex Oriente Film 2019 workshop and premiered at Sarajevo IFF 2022.

"Sometimes we have to be frightening to be safe." Director Laila Pakalnina and producer Uldis Cekulis talk about their new project Scarecrows, following people working at the airports who make sure birds do not cross paths with the planes.

Ivona Remundová discusses with director Karolina Domagalska and producer Anna Stylinska their documentary 5 Pills Away about four women friends from Abortion Dream Team who step in and lead a revolution when Polish government introduces a near-total abortion ban.

In this episode of True Story documentary podcast, we talk to Alina Gorlova, the director of No Obvious Signs (MDR Film Prize at DOK Leipzig) and This Rain Will Never Stop (IDFA First Appearence Award), about being on frontline, bravery and traumas.

Ukrainian director Oksana Syhareva and producer Nataliia Pogudina talk about their documentary project Up in the Air which follows youg Ukrainian aerial artists from Kharkiv before and after the Russian invasion.