Canadian Premiere
In the baroque courts of 18th century Venice, the fragile egos and appetites of patrons and artists clash in the rise and fall of one of history’s greatest unsung composers, Josef Mysliveček. Steeped in the rich, decadent costumes and music of the period, and combining the searing emotional power of Amadeus and the lavish aesthetics of Barry Lyndon, Il Boemo (The Bohemian) is the platonic ideal of a period drama.
Josef, an ambitious but struggling musician trying to climb his way into the extravagant heights of operatic stardom, becomes embroiled in social intrigue and aristocratic debauchery. Obsessed with the allure of his ambitions, Josef struggles to stay true to his vocation as he falls deeper into a libertine labyrinth of hedonistic pleasures that consume his body and mind. Winding between the baroque beauty of sumptuous aria performances to the vigorous, carnal sensuality of masquerades and orgies, and the tragic weight of glory upon Josef’s shoulders, director Petr Václav has carved a tale out of history worthy of an opera itself.
Best Film, Best Director, Czech Lions 2023
A visually and musically vivid film
Screen International
Vojtěch Dyk, Barbara Ronchi, Elena Radonicich, Lana Vlady
Czech Republic/Italy/Slovakia
2022
Showcase
In Czech and Italian with English subtitles
Sexual Violence
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Executive Producer
Klára Botlíková, Vendy Fenclová
Producer
Jan Macola, Mimesis Film
Screenwriter
Petr Vaclav
Cinematography
Diego Romero Suarez Llanos
Editor
Paolo Cottignola, Florent Vassault, Florent Mangeot
Production Design
Irena Hradecká
Director
Petr Václav
Petr Vaclav is a graduate of the Film and TV School at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. His short Paní Le Murie (1993), received a nomination for a student Oscar. Vaclav’s film Cesta ven /The Way Out (2014) became the first Czech film to premiere at Cannes in 23 years. Vaclav’s most recent film, Il Boemo (2022) was the official submission of the Czech Republic for the Best International Film sector of the 2023 Academy Awards.
Filmography: Marian (1996); Paralelni svety (2001); The Way Out (2014); We Are Never Alone (2016); Skokan (2017)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Space Cadet
VIFF Kids Club is our monthly family series with films, crafts and more! Doors at 11 am for activities, film at 12. Space Cadet is the enchanting Canadian animated tale of astronaut Celeste and her robot guardian, and their connection felt across the galaxy.
The Golden Spurtle
Each year the sleepy highland village of Carrbridge awakens with excitement as locals and competitors from around the globe vie for the honour of winning The Golden Spurtle in the World Porridge Making Championships.
Two Pianos
Once promising concert pianist Mathias (François Civil) returns to his native Lyon after a long absence. He's here to pay homage to his mentor, Elena (Charlotte Rampling). But a chance encounter with an old flame sends him spiraling.
The Kidannes Ethio-Jazz Ensemble + Broken Flowers Film Screening
The Kidannes Ethio-Jazz Ensemble will be performing a unique blend of traditional Ethiopian & Eritrean music, combined with a healthy dollop of Western Jazz, in advance of the Jim Jarmusch movie which popularized Ethiopian Jazz in the West.
