'Winter Flies' Sweeps Czech National Film Awards

Olmo Omerzu's road movie, which was the country's entry into the foreign-language Oscar race, collected honors for best film, direction, script and editing.

Olmo Omerzu's Vsechno bude (Winter Files) was the main winner at the Czech Lions, the local equivalent of the Academy Awards, which were held Saturday at Prague's Rudolfinum theater.

The road movie, which centers on two teenagers who set out on a car trip into frozen wastelands in search of adventure, collected best film, directing, script and editing honors.

The film's Eliska Krenkova and Jan Frantisek Uher also collected prizes for best supporting actress and best supporting actor, respectively.

Co-produced by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Poland, Winter Files premiered at last year's Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where Omerzu was tapped as best director.

Last September, Winter Flies was selected as the Czech Republic's entry in the best foreign-language film Oscar race, but failed to get a nomination.

Other Czech Lion winners included Ondrej Havelka's fantasy drama Hastrman, which was honored for best camerawork, music and costumes, while the film's male lead Karel Dobry was named best actor. Jenovefa Bokova was chosen as best actress for her work in Chvilky, and Simon Safránek's King Skate picked up the best documentary award.