Waves
It’s 1967 Czechoslovakia, and technician Tomás has just started working at the country’s most renowned radio station. But as the Soviets crack down on any dissenting opinions, Tomás must either become an informant or protect his activist younger brother in this nerve-wracking journalism thriller.
Tickets
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Wednesday, May 21, 2025
- Limited Availability
- On Standby
- Matinee
Saturday, May 24, 2025
- Limited Availability
- On Standby
- Matinee
Monday, May 26 - Sunday, June 1, 2025
- Limited Availability
- On Standby
- Matinee
*Restricted to audiences in WA State.
In the face of rising media surveillance and censorship, Waves takes place in the days leading up to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. Out of this atmosphere of paranoia, two brothers provide an anchor to everyday life: Tomáš, conformist and domestic, versus Pavel, fiery and revolutionary.
As Tomáš begins working for a radio station, he and his journalistic colleagues are soon faced with a dire dilemma: how far are they willing to go to protect the truth? And what power do they have against an oppressive regime?
With a percussive soundtrack and rich, earthy coloring, this period thriller blends real historical footage into scenes shot for the film. With the threat of a known ending looming from the beginning, a tight script with gripping characters and sweeping emotions nevertheless elevates tension throughout its entire runtime.
This tale of dissent against a repressive state brings up resonant themes with today’s political climate, a powerful reminder of the strength in community and the heroism of the ordinary.
—Emily Sawan
- Director: Jiří Mádl
- Principal Cast: Vojtěch Vodochodský, Stanislav Majer, Táňa Pauhofová, Ondřej Stupka, Martin Hofmann, Tomáš Maštalír
- Country: Czech Republic, Slovakia
- Year: 2024
- Running Time: 131 min.
- Producer: Monika Dawson
- Screenplay: Jiří Mádl
- Cinematographers: Martin Žiaran
- Editors: Filip Malásek
- Music: Simon Goff
- Website: Official Film Website
- Awards: Official Academy Awards® Submission 2025 (International Feature), Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2024 (Audience Award)
- Filmography: On the Roof (2019), To See the Sea (2014)
- Language: Czech
- Has Subtitles: Yes
- Format: DCP
- US Distributor: The Forge
- International Sales: Urban Sales