Kateřina Falbrová Wins Czech Lion for Performance in ‘Broken Voices’

Kateřina Falbrová has been awarded the Czech Lion, the Czech Republic’s national film award, in the category of Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film Broken Voices (Czech: Sbormistr). The film, a 2025 thriller drama, addresses the sensitive topic of abuse within a girls’ choir, drawing inspiration from the real-life Bambini di Praga case.

A Role Rooted in a Real-Life Scandal

Broken Voices, written and directed by Ondřej Provazník, is not a direct reconstruction of the 2004 Bambini di Praga sexual abuse scandal, but rather a “loose interpretation” of the events within a feature film [1]. The film centers on Karolína, a 13-year-old girl who joins a prestigious girls’ choir, and the impact of the demanding choirmaster, Vítězslav Mácha, on her aspirations [2].

Falbrová’s Emotional Acceptance Speech

Accepting the award, Falbrová, 16, delivered an emotional speech, expressing gratitude to the academy, her family, the choir, the film’s crew, and director Ondřej Provazník and Jiří Konečný for creating the project. She spoke with a “shaky voice” as she acknowledged her classmates [3].

Demanding Filming Process and Personal Impact

The filming process was reportedly challenging for Falbrová. She described a period of “dark thoughts” following the intense experience of filming, particularly after the whirlwind of attention and the emotional demands of the role [3]. One particularly demanding scene involved filming in winter conditions, requiring her to repeatedly run in a sheet between a sauna and the cold outdoors, a scene her parents initially objected to [3].

Critical Acclaim and Awards

Broken Voices premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July 2025, receiving a nomination for the Crystal Globe [2]. The film has been critically appreciated and won the Europa Cinemas Label Award, with Falbrová receiving a Special Jury Mention for her performance [2]. It was similarly named Film of the Year by the Czech Film Critics’ Association, with Falbrová also winning an acting award [3].

Production Details

Broken Voices is a Czech Republic and Slovak Republic co-production, produced by Endorfilm, Punkchart Films, Czech Television, Innogy, and Barrandov Studios [2]. The film stars Kateřina Falbrová, Juraj Loj, Maya Kintera, and Zuzana Šulajová [2] and has grossed US$1.02 million [2].