Oběti Kulínského uzavřely smír s tvůrci filmu Sbormistr

The District Court for Prague 4 has approved a settlement between the producers of the film Sbormistr and a woman who sued over the depiction of a victim of sexual abuse. According to court spokesperson Jan Chmel, the decision will become legally binding once it is delivered in writing to the participants, as no appeal is permitted.

The legal dispute centered on the film’s inspiration from the case of Bohumil Kulínský, a conductor of the Bambini di Praga choir convicted of sexually abusing underage members. One victim recognized herself in a character and filed a lawsuit against the producers, which included ČT, endorfilm, innogy Česká republika, and Barrandov Studio.

Why was the broadcast of Sbormistr banned?

The District Court for Prague 4 issued a preliminary injunction in March banning the television broadcast of the film in the Czech Republic. This measure was later upheld by the Municipal Court in Prague.

Courts determined that the plaintiff, who suffered a criminal offense as a minor, was in a particularly vulnerable position. The ban aimed to prevent secondary and tertiary victimization, which the courts defined as the repeated wounding of a victim.

Did You Know? Despite the legal battle, Sbormistr was named the best film of the year by the Czech Film Critics Association and earned 13 Czech Lion nominations, winning three awards, including Best Actress for Kateřina Falbrová.

What are the terms of the legal settlement?

The settlement includes a strict confidentiality agreement. Radek Konečný, a spokesperson for ČT, stated he cannot comment on the specific conditions or content of the agreement due to this clause.

SBORMISTR (2025) oficiální trailer

Ivan David, the lawyer representing the woman, told ČT that a compromise acceptable to both parties was reached on all points of the lawsuit. Previously, David noted that the broadcast ban applied only to terrestrial television and remained in effect until a final court decision.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that this case highlights the precarious balance between artistic expression and the protection of survivors. By changing the character’s name to Valerie after the suit began, the producers attempted to distance the “fictional” work from the real-life person, yet the court’s initial ban suggests that thematic similarities can still trigger legal protections against re-traumatization.

How did the filmmakers respond to the controversy?

Director Ondřej Provazník previously expressed regret that the film caused psychological distress to a real victim. To address the issue, the creators changed the first name of the 13-year-old protagonist to Valerie after the legal dispute began.

The production company endorfilm maintained that the movie is a fictional artistic work inspired by real events rather than a biography of a specific person.

What happens next for the film?

The legal proceedings will officially end once the written decision is delivered. While the settlement is finalized, the specific future of the film’s television broadcast remains unclear due to the confidentiality agreement.

The film may eventually return to television if the settlement terms allow, though it has already reached a wide audience. It saw over 120,000 cinema viewers last summer and has been available on Netflix and other paid VOD platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who produced the film Sbormistr?
The producers were ČT, endorfilm, innogy Česká republika, and Barrandov Studio.

Why did the woman sue the producers?
She recognized herself in one of the film’s characters and sought to prevent further victimization.

Is the film still available on streaming services?
The source indicates the film was available on Netflix and other paid VOD platforms following its cinema release.

Do you believe fictional films inspired by real crimes should be required to change more than just the names of the victims?