Primarily based on the true story of the Bambini di Praga choir and the sexual abuse case that shook the Czech Republic, “Damaged Voices” goes to uncomfortable locations.

“Its choirmaster was accused of sexually abusing many, many ladies through the years. However then, an odd factor occurred: some ladies recounted horrible issues, however others took his aspect,” says Czech director Ondřej Provazník. 

“He ended up in jail, so his guilt was clear, nevertheless it led to a different weird expertise. I used to be nonetheless finding out at FAMU on the time, and one evening I went to a bar. There was a bunch of younger girls sitting proper subsequent to me, and instantly they began to sing – superbly. They had been singing over the telephone, to their choirmaster. Regardless that he was accused of horrific crimes! This complete state of affairs saved coming again to me – additionally when the #MeToo motion lastly broke out.”

Czech Republic may need been sluggish to the worldwide revolution, however issues are altering, he notes. Additionally thanks to 2 different high-profile instances: former law-maker Dominik Feri and psychiatrist Jan Cimický. 

“These had been large scandals, and, step-by-step, Czech society began to speak extra about these points. However sure – we’re nonetheless fairly conservative. Very often – and particularly within the case of Bambini di Praga – individuals would say to me: ‘These ladies had been responsible as properly.’ You recognize, all the standard issues: ‘Why did they wait so lengthy?’ One in all my goals was to start out this story even earlier than the precise trauma begins – additionally to elucidate the complexities of this expertise.”

Within the movie, 13-year-old Karolína goals of becoming a member of the distinguished choir – similar to her older sister. She must be a focus for the temperamental choirmaster, however he notices her quite rapidly. 

“I actually hope that after watching the movie you’ll perceive how troublesome it’s to take care of one thing like that in such a fragile interval of your life – not to mention speak about it. So usually, you simply push it apart. It comes again a lot later, whenever you’re able to take care of your previous. You say: ‘This occurred to me and now I do know it was mistaken.’”

Provazník, readying for the Karlovy Range Movie Competition premiere, has already been speaking to viewers about their very own experiences. 

“There’s at all times somebody arising and sharing their story. So, so many tales. You notice how prevalent it’s in our society. I simply hope this might help … them, but in addition their households.”

The Endorfilm manufacturing, which just lately debuted the trailer, is bought by Salaud Morisset. It stars Kateřina Falbrová, Juraj Loj, Maya Kintera, Zuzana Šulajová, Marek Cisovský, Ivana Wojtylová, Anna Michalcová, Anežka Novotná and Markéta Kühnová. 

Though speaking about sexual violence, Provazník was adamant: He by no means meant to point out its brutality. 

“I’ll be sincere: We’re anxious that Czech viewers gained’t see the movie due to its subject. That’s why it’s so necessary to inform them: It’s not violent and it’s not exploitative,” he stresses.

“This lady has a dream she desires to realize and steps into an atmosphere which has guidelines she will be able to’t perceive. She’s not conscious of what’s taking place there, which could be very, quite common. Additionally, it felt proper to cover sure issues, as a result of that’s how they occur. Folks know one thing, however they don’t know all the things. There are such a lot of feelings right here: jealousy, robust want to succeed. Once you add one thing poisonous to it, it creates all kinds of pathologies.”

Provazník isn’t displaying the trial or its aftermath, specializing in “how these items begin.” Searching for solutions, he turned to Vanessa Springora’s memoir “Consent” [describing abuse she experienced from author Gabriel Matzneff, which started when she was 14], “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Wealthy” and “Leaving Neverland,” about Michael Jackson. 

“There was one second within the latter that I might hook up with. There’s a person speaking about Jackson and what he describes… It makes you wish to vomit. However you possibly can see he nonetheless loves him in some way. It may be love and hate on the similar time.”

Later, when interviewing a number of the former choirists, he skilled it once more.

“A few of them mentioned: ‘He tried to seduce me and didn’t succeed, however I nonetheless appreciated him.’ They claimed these had been the very best years of their lives! They didn’t wish to wreck their recollections with all this darkness,” he provides. 

“There are a number of trials taking place in Czech Republic proper now. I don’t make ‘activist’ movies, however I do suppose that artwork can change issues – even a little bit. Once more, that’s why the movie isn’t express – youngsters can see it, ideally with their mother and father. They’ll speak about what they noticed.” 

And spot the very first moments when issues don’t really feel proper.  

“Belief somebody, belief your mother and father – that is the one means. And, as an grownup, be vigilant and inform your children: ‘If something occurs to you, please inform somebody.’”