Czech director David Balda brings his international political thriller Manipulation to domestic cinemas on November 12, following theatrical releases across the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany.
- Director David Balda releases his feature Manipulation in Czech cinemas on November 12 after runs in the UK, Italy, and Germany.
- The English-language thriller features an international cast including James Faulkner, Arnaud Binard, Féodor Atkine, and Heino Ferch.
The film was shot entirely in English to target audiences across multiple countries, idnes.cz reported. Director David Balda secured prominent European talent for the project, casting British actor James Faulkner from Game of Thrones and French actors Arnaud Binard from Emily in Paris and Féodor Atkine from Ronin.
German actor Heino Ferch, known for his portrayal of Albert Speer in Downfall, rounds out the principal international roster. Balda acknowledged the professional risk taken by the established cast when signing onto a project helmed by a young director.
Myslím, že se jim líbil scénář, moje nadšení a vize, že projekt bude důležitý. Samozřejmě pro všechny z nich to mohl být risk. Mohli být součástí filmu, který bude špatný. Chtěl jsem filmem nabídnout svůj pohled, jak to vidím já a třeba i někoho inspirovat, pokud někdo v tomto tématu něco řeší. Ukázat, jaké jsou principy manipulace a jak ji odhalit včas,
David Balda
idnes.cz noted that the film was deployed in dozens of cinemas, including multiplexes, throughout its initial distribution block.
The story centers on a powerful elite society led by a figure known as the Master.
Féodor Atkine plays a role in the film, where the Master intimidates the church. The plot examines systemic manipulation spanning media, politics, advertising, and religious institutions.
| Actor | Character | Notable Past Project |
|---|---|---|
| James Faulkner | Secret Society Member | Game of Thrones |
| Arnaud Binard | Ivan (Investigative Journalist) | Emily in Paris |
| Féodor Atkine | Juraj (Church Order Member) | Ronin |
| Heino Ferch | Elitist Faction Figure | Downfall |
Je to fikce, ale na druhou stranu o tom slyšíte všude.
Znáte příběhy lidí, jako je Julian Assange nebo těch, kteří se snaží upozornit na fakta a dokumenty a ti se ocitají v ohrožení.
Když se nad tím člověk zamyslí, jedná se o šílenou záležitost,
Binard stated to idnes.cz.
Czech representation in the cast includes Pavel Kříž and model-actress Pavlína Němcová. Němcová highlighted the pervasive nature of manipulation in daily life, noting its presence in personal relationships as well as broader societal structures, idnes.cz reported.
Director David Balda previously entered domestic cinemas at age eighteen with his feature debut Narušitel, which focused on socialist-era military pilots seeking freedom. That release established Balda as one of the youngest filmmakers to have a feature widely distributed in Czech theaters.
Following its overseas rollouts, Manipulation opens in domestic theaters on November 12.
