It’s certainly nice to see some fresh blood in the distribution world, and rising shingle The Forge is continuing to make compelling choices when it comes to its slate. Next up: North American rights for the decorated Czech period drama “Waves,” written and directed by Jirí Mádl.
The film, based on true events, takes place during the Prague Spring in 1968. It mixes live-action drama and restored archive footage, following when Warsaw Pact troops and tanks rolled into the city. Much of the action follows the team at Czechoslovak Radio, whose continuous broadcasts helped citizens resist the U.S.S.R. occupation for eight months.
“Waves” was shortlisted at the 97th Academy Awards as the Czech Republic’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category, though it did not ultimately secure a nomination at the annual ceremony. Still, the film proved to be a major hit in its home country, as Cineuropa reported last year that it emerged as the most-watched film of 2024, even surpassing Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.”
Per Cineuropa, “The film drew 885,767 viewers, just ahead of the animated blockbuster, which recorded 883,152 admissions. This marks the fourth time in six years that a domestic production has led the annual box office.” It now ranks as the second-highest-grossing Czech film of all time, making over $7.4 million in its Czech release.
The film had its world premiere at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it won the audience award. It was nominated for 15 Czech Lions, winning Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Sound, and the Audience Award. It’s a great pick for the distro, and a film clearly deserving of a second spin in North America.
Recent acquisitions from the upstart shingle include “The Balconettes,” “We Were Dangerous,” and “Fluxx.” Established in 2019 by independent film veteran Mark Mathias Sayre, The Forge is a distributor and international sales agency that seeks out “compelling independent films and documentaries.”
Earlier this year, the distro made a big move when it picked up Kristen Stewart’s feature directorial debut “The Chronology of Water,” and made it clear that they were going all in on the film’s awards prospects with a robust release plan and awards campaign. Last year, The Forge tackled the awards campaign for the Mexican entry, “Sujo.”
The Forge will release “Waves” for a limited theatrical run in Los Angeles during second-quarter 2026 before expanding to additional markets and a digital release