True Story

In this episode of the True Story Podcast, Ivona Remundová speaks with directors Beata Bashkirova and Mikhail Bashkirov about A Shaman’s Tale , a gripping documentary that follows Yakut shaman Alexander Gabyshev on his extraordinary journey across Russia to “exorcise” Vladimir Putin, whom he believes to be a demon. What begins as a symbolic, almost mythical pilgrimage soon turns into a powerful ac...

In this episode of the True Story Podcast, Ivona Remundová speaks with director Robert Lakatos about his thought-provoking and darkly humorous documentary Whose Dog Am I? . The film is a sharp political satire exploring nationalism, identity, and power—told through the unexpected lens of dog breeding. Lakatos takes us on a journey through a world where politics and ideology seep into the seemingly...

In this episode of the True Story Podcast, Ivona Remundová speaks with director Nikolay Stefanov and producer Ralitsa Golemanova about their gripping documentary No Place for You in Our Town . The film offers an unfiltered look into the lives of a football gang in the post-industrial Bulgarian city of Pernik, a place shaped by economic decline and shifting social landscapes. Stefanov, a native of...

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 s...

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...

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 protagonis...

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...

Pusťte si záznam z panelové diskuze zástupců českých televizí, která proběhla na East Doc Platform 2024. Dozvíte se co se chystá v českém dokumentu a televizích, o co má zájem ČT a co chtějí komerční televize, nebo jak může fikční tvorba podpořit tu dokumentární. Diskuze se zúčastnili Milan Fridrich (ČT), Michal Reitler (TV Nova/Voyo) a Erika Hníková (TV Nova/Voyo), moderoval Radim Procházka (Asoc...

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 m...

Ivona Remundová talks with Mariam Chachia and Nik Voigt directors of the documentary film Magic Mountain. After recovering from tuberculosis Mariam has a recurring nightmare about being kept high up in the mountains, in the middle of the forest in an old palace where outcasts live. One day, Mariam goes to meet the secret community to overcome her fear. In becoming friends with the tuberculosis pat...

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...

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...

Listen an interview with Alisa Kovalenko and Stephane Siohan, the producer and director of the documentary We Will Not Fade Away.  This film focuses on a group of teenagers from the Donbas region of Ukraine as they train to go on an expedition of the Himalayas. Kovalenko and Siohan talk about the devastation caused by the full scale invasion of Ukraine, how the meaning of the film has changed sinc...

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 an...

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.

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.

With director Jakub Piątek and producer Maciej Kubicki about their new project Pianoforte, an intimate coming-of-age portrait of young pianists taking part in the legendary International Chopin Piano Competition, a unique chance of the lifetime portrayed from the backstage.

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.