Czech fairy tale The Proud Princess to get worldwide cinema release

A new animated adaptation of the classic Czech fairy tale The Proud Princess (Pyšná princezna) is capturing international attention. Based on the beloved 1952 live-action version adapted from the story by Božena Němcová, the film has already exceeded expectations at home, drawing more than 100,000 viewers in Czech cinemas within two weeks of its release.

Now, the animated version is set to expand its reach beyond Czech borders, with distribution agreements signed in over 20 countries across the globe. The international buzz has surprised even the filmmakers, who attribute its success to the universal appeal of the fairy tale’s themes and its stunning animation.

The Proud Princess has already secured distribution deals in a diverse range of countries, including locales as far as South Korea, Japan, Israel, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. In Europe, the film will hit cinemas in Spain, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and several other countries.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the positive response from distributors, even in exotic countries like Mongolia or Vietnam," said Martin Růžička, one of the film’s producers, states through a press release. "We believe this interest is because we’re offering a story that resonates with audiences across different languages and cultures.”

Despite being fully animated, the film features numerous representations of landmarks across the Czech Republic. The film’s producers credit its international success not only to the story’s universal themes but also to its distinct visual appeal.

“The film’s unique aesthetic, with vibrant depictions of the Czech countryside, is something rarely seen in animated films,” said producer Jiří Míka. “It’s exciting to see Czech animation gaining visibility on the world stage once again.”

The film’s co-directors, Radek Beran and David Lisý, drew on the nostalgic charm of the original 1952 film while modernizing it with the latest 3D animation technology. Their version of The Proud Princess was produced over five years with contributions from 45 animators and 101 artists.

The Proud Princess follows the story of King Miroslav, who embarks on a thrilling journey to win the heart of the proud Princess Krasomila, set against a magical backdrop that includes enchanted flowers and an adventurous escape from an evil royal advisor. The film's voice cast includes Anna Fialová as Krasomila, Marek Lambora as Miroslav, and Aleš Procházka as the royal advisor Maxim.

“The story revolves around love, pride, and the journey of the prince and princess,” noted Lisý. “But we also wanted to bring something new, adding humor and action to appeal to children, while still offering depth for adult viewers.”