INTERVIEW with FILIP JÍCHA
The documentary film *COLD EMBRANCE* tells an extraordinary story of courage, pain, and the will to push past one’s limits. It follows the journey of Filip Jícha, a young athlete whose promising tennis career was suddenly cut short by health issues. Just as his athletic dreams began to crumble, he found an unexpected path in an environment that most people instinctively reject—in icy water.
How long have you been doing movies? How did you decide to start making movies?
I did not originally set out to become a filmmaker. My background is in business and extreme swimming, and I am the President of IISA Czech. The film grew naturally from our expeditions and from the extraordinary journey of my son and our team. We realised that the story was larger than a record or a sporting result and deserved to be preserved on film.
Why did you do this project?
This is a deeply personal project for me. I wanted to show what lies behind achievements in extreme sport: years of preparation, fear, setbacks, trust and the strength of a team. Most importantly, I hoped the story would inspire young people to discover sport and understand that determination can help them reach goals that initially seem impossible.
(If you can say). How much budget did you have to do this project?
The total budget was CZK 1.2 million. This was a genuinely low-budget independent documentary, especially considering the demanding filming conditions and the scale of the story. The production therefore depended on careful planning, personal commitment and substantial support from people and partners who believed in the project.
Was it self-funded or did you get budget/producers/investors?
The project was developed independently and financed through a combination of our own resources and support from partners and sponsors. There was no large studio behind it. Everyone involved contributed because they believed the story should be told.
How long did it take from the initial idea to being able to release?
The journey took several years from the first idea to the completed film. The story could not be rushed because it followed real training, expeditions and challenges in extreme environments. This was followed by a demanding period of editing and post-production, during which a large amount of material had to be shaped into one coherent and emotional story.
Are you happy with the result?
Yes, very much. I am proud of what the filmmakers captured because the road to these achievements was difficult and often uncertain. The film remains so personal that I still cannot watch it without becoming emotional. The strongest reward is seeing young people respond to it and understand its message about courage, discipline and perseverance.
What phase is this project in right now? Are you in the initial phase of sending it to festivals, middle phase or finishing the circuit?
The film is currently in the middle of its festival journey. It has already been broadcast on Czech Television and presented to domestic audiences, and we are now introducing the international version to festivals abroad. Our goal is to bring this Czech story to audiences who may know nothing about ice swimming but can connect with its universal themes.
How has your experience been with the festivals so far? Where do you think they should improve?
Our festival experience has been very positive. It is moving to see the film understood across different cultures and to meet filmmakers who have devoted years to their projects. Festivals could improve by communicating timelines and selection decisions more clearly and, where possible, by offering brief feedback. Even a few thoughtful sentences can be valuable to independent filmmakers.
Could you tell us which platforms you use to submit your entries to festivals?
We primarily use FilmFreeway because it provides access to festivals around the world and makes the submission process manageable for an independent production. We also contact selected festivals directly when their programme is especially relevant to sport, adventure, the environment or human resilience.
Normally, filmmakers use many references, favorite directors, favorite movies, etc. Were you inspired by any director or film? If so, tell us your references.
The project was not designed to imitate a particular director or film. Its main reference was reality itself: the cold, the landscape, the uncertainty of open water and the relationships within the team. We were inspired by honest observational documentaries that allow people and environments to speak for themselves, without manufacturing drama that was not there.
Your favorite movie?
I do not have only one favourite film. I am most strongly drawn to films based on true stories, especially those about courage, endurance and people overcoming circumstances that appear stronger than they are.
Favorite series?
The same is true of television series: I prefer carefully made stories based on real events, history or exceptional human experience. For me, authenticity and emotional truth matter more than a particular genre.
Do you see yourself making movies in 5 years? Where do you see yourself?
Yes. In five years, I hope to continue developing documentaries connected with extreme swimming, human resilience and the natural world. I do not see filmmaking as separate from my life; it is a way to share experiences that would otherwise remain known only to the small group of people who lived through them.
Do you have any other project in mind?
Yes. We are developing a second documentary based on our Antarctic expedition. It includes extraordinary material from one of the most remote places on Earth and follows the attempt to swim one kilometre in water close to freezing. The deeper theme is not conquest, but humility and respect for nature, and the relationship between human determination, technology and the limits imposed by the environment.
What do you ask for the future? (cinematographically speaking)
I hope there will remain space for honest documentaries with a human purpose, including films created outside large commercial systems. I would like our work to reach international audiences, inspire young people and encourage respect for nature. Cinema can still change how people see their own limits, and I hope to contribute stories with that kind of lasting value.
Your best experience in a movie theater?
My most powerful cinema experience was watching our own film with an audience for the first time. Hearing the silence during its most difficult moments and then speaking with viewers afterwards made me realise that a very personal Czech story could touch people who had never experienced ice swimming. Seeing young viewers leave inspired was unforgettable.