Trailer
Immerse yourself in an exciting trailer that captures the key moments and themes of our documentary. Watch as dreams become reality and how Karl May’s legacy inspires new generations.
About the documentary
The documentary western „It’s All Down to Winnetou“ follows the journey of five friends who decided to bring Karl May’s stories to life through open-air performances. They immersed themselves in the world of adventure and friendship offered by May’s books, and their enthusiasm led to the creation of this unique documentary. The film captures not only their journey, but also the profound influence May’s stories have had on generations of readers.
Our team
Fate brought together a group of friends who share a passion for the stories of Karl May.
Each of them brings unique skills and enthusiasm that enriches our story.
Juraj Šajmovič
Director
Perceived as a sensitive storyteller with an emphasis on authentic stories and social relevance. His work combines humor, nostalgia, and a critical view of society, without unnecessary pomposity.
Filip Minařík
Filip
An actor, painter, and dressage rider who bridges the worlds of art and professional equestrianism. In addition to acting in film and theatre, he is involved in the visual arts and also works as a trainer of horses and riders at the Grand Prix level.
Jiří Rohlíček
Doctor
A gynecologist, obstetrician, and a longtime fan of Karl May’s works. For many years, he has been visiting the filming locations of Winnetou films, where he reenacts scenes from the films; he then shows these reenactments to the interested ones as part of the “gynokinocafé” at his office.
Jiří Rohlíček ml.
Businessman
An businessman and a longtime fan of Karl May’s works. He actively participates in May-themed events and tours of the filming locations of Winnetou films. He created a fine replica of chief Intschu-tschuna’s costume for his father.
Róbert Sobotovič
Robo
An independent filmmaker living between the Tatra Mountains and the Danube. He creates more than just images of Slovakia. Since 2008, he has also been filming famous scenes from movies based on the works of Karl May.
Kateřina Bártová
Katka
Painter, restorer, dressage rider, and owner of Dům Harfa s.r.o. During performances, she serves as a horse coordinator and a producer.
Jana Vondrušová
Creative soul through and through. Songwriter with her own compositions, Irish at heart, a lifelong lover of stories and heroes of Karl May. This passion led her to write her own stories with Winnetou and Old Shatterhand.
Jiří Vondruš
A designer, engineer, technician through and through, obsessed with anything that growls, blinks, or moves. He is constantly creating, fixing, and improving things. And because every story needs a villain, he embarks on a journey to the „dark“ side.
Jens Belon
A student from Belgium who has spent half of his life in Prague and is currently studying there. He’s always had a broad curiosity about the world and loves connecting with people, ideas, and cultures – whether through studies or spontaneous adventures.
Ronia Minaříková
Student of international relations and a dressage rider. Over the years, she has presented all of her horses in the Winnetou performances. For her, these performances offered another opportunity to acclimate her horses to large crowds and the many sensory stimuli that the theatre environment brings.
Lex Minařík
He is of school age, yet he is brimming with the instincts of a prehistoric hunter. The world of children’s “Cowboys and Indians” games is therefore not at all foreign to him. He first took part in a performance as a Native American child when he was just a baby in a carrier on his mother Katka’s back, and later as a warrior or rider on a pony.
Lucie, Pavel a Anička Břízovi
A nurse and a mechanic, both employed by the organization. The parents and their daughter are united not only by their passion for sports, but also by the values and legacy of Karl May.
Directed by
Juraj Šajmovič
Director of photography
Juraj Šajmovič
Róbert Sobotovič
Michal Staněk
Screenplay by
Juraj Šajmovič
Filip Minařík
Producers
Kateřina Bártová, Dům Harfa s.r.o.
Róbert Sobotovič
Juraj Šajmovič
Filip Minařík
Jana a Jiří Vondrušovi
Snapshots from the filming
