Review: Will Czech Actor Shine at the Oscars with ‘If They Were Made of Gold’?

Oscar Bid and International Competition

The Czech Film and Television Academy submitted the documentary for Oscar contention at the end of August, according to distribution company Aerofilms. This follows last year’s submission of Klára Tachovská’s documentary Ještě nejsem, kým chci být (I’m Not Everything I Want to Be), which did not advance in the international competition. The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will publish the shortlist of fifteen feature films selected from approximately eighty submissions on December 15, from which five final nominees will emerge, as reported by ČFTA materials.

For the young production team behind the film, the selection represents a significant milestone. “We truly appreciate the opportunity to apply for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film on behalf of the Czech Republic,” state producers Klára Mamojková and Wanda Kaprálová of CLAW films, as quoted by Aerofilms. They view the nomination process as a chance to understand the international film community and a testament to a more open, collective Czech film environment.

Intimate Documentation and Five-Year Production

Director Pepa Lubojacki spent five years filming her older brother, David Richter, and her cousins, who struggle with severe alcohol dependency, according to production details from Aerofilms. The documentary captures the environments where they live alongside the director’s persistent efforts to help her brother through various means. The film depicts scenes of the director pleading with her brother to seek treatment, often meeting resistance as he refuses rehabilitation because he acknowledges he would likely resume drinking afterward.

Alongside the contemporary footage, the documentary incorporates archival childhood photographs and the filmmaker’s reflections on how addiction impacts both individuals and their families.

Form and Public Outreach Campaigns

To engage viewers with the lengthy subject matter, the film utilizes distinctive stylistic choices, including archival childhood photographs animated with artificial intelligence to simulate speech, and an animated pigeon voiceover handled by the director, according to reviews. While some stylistic choices aim for playfulness, reviewers note that the personal nature of the project reflects the director’s realization that outside help remains ineffective when a person rejects it entirely.

To amplify the film’s message, Aerofilms announced that Kdyby se holubi proměnili ve zlato hits Czech cinemas on September 24. The distribution plan includes regular screenings nationwide alongside special educational events featuring debates with the director, the creative team, and addiction experts from organizations such as Sananim and Naděje Praha. Producers Mamojková and Kaprálová emphasize that the outreach campaign aims to shift public perception toward empathy, encouraging audiences to look past the addiction to see the individual.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Kdyby se holubi proměnili ve zlato release in cinemas?

According to Aerofilms, the film opens in Czech cinemas on September 24.

Who directed the film?

The documentary was directed and written by Pepa Lubojacki, with camera work by Lubojacki and Tomáš Šťastný.

What is the film’s Oscar status?

The Czech Film and Television Academy selected the film for the Academy Awards at the end of August, with the Academy’s shortlist announcement scheduled for December 15.