Romani actor Marsell Bendig wins Czech Lion award for his excellent supporting performance in the film "Banger"
The Czech Lion award from the Czech Academy of Film and Television (ČFTA) has been won by Marsell Bendig in the category of best actor in a supporting role for "Banger", a film made entirely on an iPhone by director Adam Sedlák. "Banger" screened in July 2022 at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and tells the story of a young drug-addicted dealer named Alex who wants to change his life and become famous as a rapper, with the lead role performed by actor Adam Mišík.
Marsell Bendig played the role of Alex’s friend Lád’a in the film. “I was nervous, but I wasn’t hoping for anything,” Bendig told ROMEA TV after winning the award.
“This means so much to me because it’s what I’ve dreamed of since I was little,” Bendig said. “If you have a wish, work on yourself, go for it, dreams do come true,” was his message to other Romani youth in an interview for ROMEA TV.
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The award for best feature film of 2022 was given to “Il Boemo”, a biopic about the composer Josef Mysliveček by director Petr Václav. The award was received by producer Jan Macola.
Vojtěch Dyk played Mysliveček. The 30th annual Czech Lion awards, held in Prague at the Rudolfinum, saw the film nominated in six of the 11 categories.
“Il Boemo” also won the categories for direction, costumes, makeup, set design and sound. A Czech Lion for exceptional contribution to Czech cinematography was won by the dramaturg Marcela Pittermannová.
Pittermannová has been involved in many children’s fairytales for film and television. The actor, director and moderator Jiří Havelka was the master of ceremonies.
The crystal statues are given to the winners by past moderators of the Czech Lion show. This was its 30th jubilee year.
The nominations for the Czech Lion were voted on by 183 of the 371 members of the ČFTA. They chose from among 47 feature films, 15 documentaries, 16 television shows, nine animated films and 10 short films; the final selection was made by the academy members from 32 productions in the 19 categories.
