'ROZKVET', a new female-led World War II drama from Northern Irish filmmaker Thomas Pollock, has unveiled its official teaser trailer.
Set in occupied Czechoslovakia in 1943, the film follows two Romani sisters struggling to survive and resist the Nazi forces hunting their people.
After her husband is killed by the Nazis, Erika flees Prague with her young son and returns to the remote village where she grew up. Worried that her presence could bring further danger to her family, she instead takes refuge in a cabin deep in the forest.
Erika's sister Kvetka eventually persuades her to help the local resistance on what is supposed to be a one-off scouting mission in exchange for desperately needed supplies. When events spiral out of control, Erika is forced to take up arms as the lives of her family and her people hang in the balance.
Closing in on her is local SS commander Dieter Engel, a ruthless officer determined to win the war at any cost. Meanwhile, Italian diplomat Silvano Reale walks an increasingly difficult line between remaining loyal to his German allies and retaining his own humanity.
Written by Andrew McNeill and adapted from his one-act play, 'ROZKVET' places the experiences of the Romani people at the centre of its wartime story, exploring persecution, resistance, family and survival from a perspective rarely represented in World War II cinema.
Katarina Kokenyova, a Slovakian-Roma actress making her feature-film debut, stars as Erika. The production also cast its other Romani characters with performers of Romani heritage.
The cast includes Lejla Szajkova, Andrew McNeill, Richard McFerran, Pavel Kříž, Ladislav Billo and Timothy Blore. Czech-Romani musician Jan Bendig also contributes original music to the film.
Filmed in Northern Ireland throughout 2024 and 2025, 'ROZKVET' marks Thomas Pollock's feature directorial debut.
Director: Thomas Pollock
Writer: Andrew McNeill
Producers: Thomas Pollock, Larry Cowan
Co-Producers: Andrew McNeill, Katarina Kokenyova
Starring: Katarina Kokenyova, Lejla Szajkova, Andrew McNeill, Richard McFerran, Pavel Kříž, Ladislav Billo, Timothy Blore
Director Of Photography: Patrick Hughes
Genre: Drama / War
Runtime: 114 Minutes
Production: Lamb Films
Filmed In: Northern Ireland, UK
🎞️ Watch the teaser trailer:
