Jemný rváč

Director: Adolf Zika
Script: Adolf Zika
Cinematography: Jan Pivoňka
Editing: Matěj Beran, Adolf Zika
Producer: Adolf Zika
Cast: Lukáš Krpálek, Ondřej Vetchý, Petr Jákl

Česká republika 2025
92′

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Adolf Zika.

Jemný rváč is a powerful and inspiring documentary about Czech judoka Lukáš Krpálek, whose journey to Olympic victory is much more than just a story of athletic success. The film reveals not only Krpálek’s rigorous training and unwavering determination but also his personal struggles, life losses, and inner conflicts that shaped his path to the top.

Full of emotion and tension, the documentary gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at elite sports and into the very heart of an athlete who never settled for mediocrity. The film combines sporting achievement with deep psychological and philosophical questions that resonate far beyond the world of sports. Krpálek’s journey extends beyond the judo mat to his connection with Japanese culture and the philosophy of discipline that shaped him. Through authentic portrayals of training, matches, and personal stories, combined with interviews with Lukáš, his family, coaches, friends, and opponents, the film offers a fascinating insight into how to cope with pressure, loss, and the expectations that accompany the pursuit of great dreams.