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Figure Skater's Raw Journey: From Elite Dreams to Crisis
19 Oct
Summary
- Documentary captures Czech champion Barbora Vránková's intense training years.
- Vránková withdraws before European Championships due to immense pressure.
- Film offers intimate, rare look behind the scenes of elite figure skating.
Eliška Andršová Cílková's feature debut, "Up Again," presents an intimate portrait of three-time Czech figure skating champion Barbora Vránková. The documentary follows Vránková during a critical period of her life, from age 15 to 18, as she trains among Europe's elite in Italy, driven by the dream of becoming a champion.
The film, premiering at the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival on October 24, 2026, and arriving in Czech cinemas on October 29, 2026, delves into the high-pressure world of elite figure skating. It captures Vránková's daily rhythm, the beauty, and the intense pressure she faced, exploring how growing up within such a demanding environment impacts an individual.
Despite her lifelong preparation for the European Championships, Vránková experiences a crisis and withdraws. The observational film promises a fragile, intimate look behind the curtain of elite figure skating. "Up Again" will be available on HBO Max across Europe starting December 4, 2026.
The documentary is a co-production involving nutprodukce, HBO Europe, and FAMU. Director Andršová Cílková also composed the film's score, utilizing her own experience with the sport to shape the filmmaking. Some scenes were filmed directly on skates, offering a unique perspective on the physical and emotional toll.
