News

HBO Europe's TV movie Burning Bush scooped up 11 awards at the Czech Republic's annual Lions Awards for film and television excellence.

The movie directed by Agnieszka Holland and scripted by Stepan Hulik, took best film, director, best supporting actress for Jaroslava Pokorna, best cinematography for Martin Strba and seven other awards including editing, sound and make up. It also picked up a non-statutory award for best poster designer.

Produced by HBO Europe and local outfit Nutprodukce, the film tells the story of Jan Palach, the young student who set himself on fire in Prague in January 1969 to protest the Soviet incursion designed to entrench hard-line Communist rule.

The film was submitted as the Czech Republic's nomination for this year's Academy Awards but fell foul of Oscar rules because it was originally made as a three part TV series, although a feature length version was released in local movie theaters. It was this version that won the Czech awards, Saturday night.

Antony Root, executive VP of Original Programming and Production at HBO Europe, said: "We are deeply honored that the Czech Film Academy has recognized Burning Bush with these awards and immensely proud that HBO was able to bring this important and moving story to audiences in the Czech Republic and around the world."