Film Archive

Off Sides

Czech Films 2018–2019 2019 / Letní hokej / Czech Republic 2019

A group of young hockey players from the east Bohemian town of Náchod travel to Morocco, where a local team has taken up ice hockey. Documentary filmmakers Rozálie Kohoutová and Tomáš Bojar return to the world of sports to capture a vibrant dialogue between different cultures seeking a common language, on and off the ice.

Synopsis

Ten years ago a handful of enthusiasts began playing ice hockey in Morocco. A few years later the Czech embassy learned about their activities and decided to support the traditional Czech sport. This gave rise to the idea of an exchange trip, where the Czech Republic and Morocco would host each other's hockey teams. The invitation was ultimately taken up by a team from the east Bohemian town of Náchod. Following up on FC Roma, documentarists Rozálie Kohoutová and Tomáš Bojar turn once again to the world of sports, employing empathy and their exceptional observational talent to ask universal questions. This time they focus on Czech and Moroccan teenagers, two teams that meet both on and off the ice. While the game has clear rules, the same can’t be said of life in Morocco and the CR.

Jan Škoda

About the film

75 min / Color, DCP

Director Tomáš Bojar, Rozálie Kohoutová / Screenplay Rozálie Kohoutová, Tomáš Bojar / Dir. of Photography Šimon Dvořáček / Editor Šimon Hájek / Producer Tomáš Bojar / Production Cinema Arsenal s.r.o. / Sales Filmotor / Distributor Pilot Film

About the director

Rozálie Kohoutová (b. 1985, Prague). Selected filmography: Kytlice, Zimmer Frei (2012), Gottland (2014, film segment), Jenica & Perla (2015), FC Roma (2016), Off Sides (2019)

Tomáš Bojar (b. 1981, Prague). Selected filmography: RAPublic (2008), Two Nil (2012), FC Roma (2016), Breaking News (2018), Off Sides (2019)