The parties to the dispute over the broadcast of the film " The Master of the Band " have agreed to a truce

A legal dispute over the television broadcast of the Czech film *Sbormistr* has reached a resolution following an agreement approved by the District Court in Prague 4. The court's decision marks the end of a contentious legal battle involving the producers of the film and a woman who claimed she was one of the victims of Bohumil Kulínský, the former director of the choir Bambini di Praga, who was convicted of sexually abusing underage members of his group. According to reports, the court found that the woman had been in a particularly vulnerable position as a minor when she became a victim of the crime, and that she faced risks of secondary and tertiary victimization—further harm caused by the exposure of her trauma. As part of the settlement, both parties have agreed to maintain confidentiality regarding the terms of the agreement. This means that neither side can disclose specific details about the compromise reached, including whether the film will now be allowed to air on terrestrial television or under what conditions.

The film *Sbormistr*, directed by Ondřej Provazník, was inspired by the real-life case of Bohumil Kulínský but was presented as a fictional work rather than a direct retelling of any particular person’s story. The producers of the film included Czech Television (ČT), the company Endorfilm, Innogy Czech Republic, and Barrandov Studio. Endorfilm previously stated that the film was based on true events but did not represent any specific individual. However, the woman who filed the lawsuit identified herself with one of the characters in the movie, claiming that the portrayal affected her right to privacy and personal protection.

The legal conflict began earlier this year when the District Court in Prague 4 issued a preliminary injunction banning the broadcast of *Sbormistr* on Czech terrestrial television. This decision was later upheld by the appellate Municipal Court in Prague. At the time, the court emphasized the vulnerability of the plaintiff, who was a minor during the alleged abuse, and the potential for further psychological harm if the film were widely disseminated. Despite these restrictions, the film had already been released in cinemas last summer, where it attracted more than 120,000 viewers. It also became available on streaming platforms such as Netflix and other paid video-on-demand services.

Following the court’s approval of the settlement, the film’s producers remain unable to comment publicly on the specifics of the agreement due to the confidentiality clause. A spokesperson for Czech Television, Radek Konečný, confirmed the existence of the settlement but reiterated that the producers could not provide further information. The court’s ruling is still pending formal delivery to all parties involved, after which it will gain full legal force. Once delivered, the legal proceedings related to the film’s broadcast will officially conclude.

The film itself has received significant critical acclaim. It was named the best film of the previous year by the Association of Czech Film Critics and won three Golden Lions awards, including Best Actress for Kateřina Falbrová in the role of the choir mistress. Overall, the film earned 13 nominations and was praised for its artistic merit and narrative depth. Its director, Ondřej Provazník, expressed regret in the past that the film might have psychologically impacted some real-life victims of the abuse depicted in the story. In response to the legal controversy, the filmmakers changed the name of the protagonist from one that matched the actual victim to "Valerie," aiming to distance the film from the real-life case while maintaining its artistic integrity.

The resolution of the legal dispute brings closure to a complex situation that raised important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the rights of victims of sexual abuse. While the film was recognized for its cinematic achievements, the controversy surrounding its broadcast highlighted the ethical challenges of dramatizing sensitive real-world issues. The settlement ensures that the matter is resolved without public disclosure of its terms, leaving many aspects of the agreement unknown to the general public.