License fees mean independence from politics. "I would like to experience the Oscars," says actress Jana Plodková.
She couldn't miss this year's Czech Lion awards ceremony. She herself was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in the road movie Karavan. What does she think an ideal acceptance speech should look like? And what animal could replace the lion?
This is her seventh nomination. She received her first nomination back in 2009 for the leading female role in the romantic thriller Protektor, directed by Marek Najbrt. The film also featured Sandra Nováková and Tomáš Měcháček. At that time, the academy decided that the Czech Lion statue should go to her. However, she hasn't converted any further nominations since then.
Career Beginnings
She graduated from Lepař Gymnasium in Jičín. After high school, she continued her studies at the Theatre Faculty of the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno. At JAMU, she performed in the plays Zvíře and Choroby mládí. She completed her studies in 2003 and earned the title MgA. in dramatic acting.
Her first acting steps led her to the Polárka theatre. Later, she became a member of the Brno HaDivadlo ensemble. There, she performed in productions such as Ředitelská lóže, Yvonna, princezna burgundánská, Incident, and Renata Kalenská – for her performance in this play, she was even nominated for the Sazka award in the category of best actor.
In 2005, she appeared in a short comedy film titled Nejlepší je pěnivá by director Jan Prušinovský, where actress and singer Barbora Poláková also acted. Although it was just a student film, this role was pivotal for her in a way. She was noticed by director and screenwriter Jan Svěrák, who subsequently cast her in a supporting role in the well-known comedy Vratné lahve. This then kick-started her acting career.
In the past, she co-hosted the Czech Film Critics' Awards with actor and director Jiří Havelka, where in 2013 she also received a nomination for her performance in the film Pleasure directed by Jitka Rudolfová. In 2016, she also participated in the entertainment show Stardance: When Stars Dance, where her dance partner was dancer Michal Padevět.
Viewers might know her from films such as Cake, Lída Baarová, Polish Film, Life for Dummies or The Devil's Quill. She also appeared in numerous series, including Murders in the County, Extraordinary Cases of Marta, Crime Scene Angel or Comeback and others.
She also engages in singing and tennis. Her partner is optician Filip Žilka, with whom she arrived at the event.
Ideal Thank-You Speech
She arrived on the red carpet in excellent spirits, with a sparkle in her eyes and a smile on her lips. She willingly answered reporters' questions, and it was clear she was full of anticipation.
“I'm looking forward to who will win. And I hope it will be our Caravan,”
she revealed.
Compared to her younger acting colleagues, with whom we also conducted interviews before the awards ceremony, she has a great advantage as an experienced actress. She has experienced the Czech Lion many times, knows what to expect from the evening, and has already delivered a thank-you speech at the podium with a microphone. But how, in her opinion, should an ideal thank-you speech look like? She was quite clear about it.
"I think that length doesn't matter. It always depends on the content and the essence that the person wants to convey. So when there's emotion, the feeling of happiness because they won, it's always the best speech,"
she said.
Czech Lion vs. Oscar
This year, Czechs not only managed to get to the Oscars but also won one. Specifically, it was for the creators of the documentary film Mr. Nobody vs. Putin. So we asked the successful actress if there is something that the Czech Lion has that the American Oscar does not. She responded with her characteristic ease and humor.
“I don't know, I've never been to the Oscars,”
she said.
The next question was whether she would also like to attend the prestigious Oscar awards.
“I don’t know, I guess I would like to experience it sometime too,”
she replied.
And what other animal could replace the Czech Lion? Jana Plodková also has a clear answer to that, and our question was followed by a prompt and perhaps somewhat surprising answer.
“No other animal can replace the lion, we have it in our emblem, we have it everywhere, it can only be the Czech Lion.”
That is not said
And what acting performance has recently impressed her?
"I just attended the premiere of Jitka Rudolfová's new film Dance with the Bear, and what Pavla Gajdošíková performs there, I was amazed, so for me it was a very powerful experience,"
she stated.
We then immediately asked her what in her opinion hasn't gone so well recently. However, she refused to tell us.
"That is not said,"
she replied with a smile.
License Fees
A topic that has recently been dividing Czech society is the license fees for Czech Television.
While one side claims that there is no need to pay them, others call for the opposite and fear the loss of independence.
Jana Plodková has a clearly defined opinion on this, showing which side she stands on. Should license fees be paid according to her?
“Of course, because fees mean independence from politics,”
she answered without hesitation.
Source: personal inquiry, ČSFD, ČFTA, Wikipedia, ČSFD, ČSFD, ČSFD, ČSFD, Kinobox
