The Paris-based sales agency Alpha Violet has secured global distribution rights for “Caravan,” the debut feature film by Czech director Zuzana Kirchnerová. This poignant narrative centers around a mother and her disabled son as they set out on an unforgettable road trip. The film is set to make its world premiere in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Featuring acclaimed Czech actress Aňa Geislerová, best known for her roles in “Havel” and “Anthropoid,” the film portrays a mother who, weary from years of caregiving, embarks on a life-changing journey through Italy with her intellectually disabled son. This deeply personal drama draws inspiration from Kirchnerová’s own experiences as a parent raising a child with Down syndrome and autism.
“Caravan” delves into themes of motherhood and rebellion, marking a significant moment for Czech cinema as it returns to Cannes' official selection after more than three decades. The last major Czech film to appear in the festival's main program was Jan Švankmajer’s “Faust” in 1994.
In her director’s statement, Kirchnerová shared her vision: “Despite the challenging subject matter, I wanted to create a film that embraces lightness, sensuality, and bitter humor.” Her dedication to storytelling earned her recognition previously when she won the Cinéfondation Prize at Cannes in 2009 for her short film “Bába.”
Produced by MasterFilm of the Czech Republic and Slovakia’s Nutprodukcia, with co-production support from Italy’s Tempesta and other collaborators, “Caravan” was filmed across the picturesque Italian regions of Emilia Romagna and Calabria. This collaboration brings together diverse cultural influences to enrich the cinematic experience.
Alpha Violet co-CEO Virginie Devesa lauded “Caravan” as “a powerful invitation to let go, live in the moment, and embrace life’s difficulties as unexpected gifts.” She praised Kirchnerová for exploring maternal guilt with “honesty and without shame,” describing the film as “a rare work of remarkable strength and authenticity.”
Among Alpha Violet’s recent successes are Mexico’s latest Oscar contender “Sujo,” which claimed the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 2024, and Austrian filmmaker Florian Pochlatko’s compelling exploration of teen mental health, “How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World,” which launched earlier this year from Berlin.
