The Pagan Queen 2009

After the death of her father, the legendary chieftain Ivo Novák who was known as Krok, his youngest daughter Winter Ave Zoli is chosen to lead the tribes of the Bohemian forests. This selection marks a significant moment as Libuše, a visionary with a natural gift for prophecy, steps into her role as ruler, guided by her extraordinary abilities that allow her to venture into the Otherworld, the realm of the dead. With her keen sense of the future, she consistently offers guidance and answers to her people, helping them navigate their lives.

Libuše’s reign is characterized by her ambitious visions and proactive efforts. She dreams of founding a city at the Vltava river, an idea that eventually takes shape as the legendary Prague. She initiates mining in the rich mountains of Bohemia, which brings wealth and prosperity to her territory, and she actively assists her farmers in battling a deadly plague that threatens their livelihood. Throughout these endeavors, Libuše’s leadership is marked by her compassion and foresight.

She shares a clandestine romantic relationship with Přemysl, portrayed by Csaba Lucas, a charismatic ploughman who becomes deeply intertwined with her destiny. Their secret affair reflects her internal conflict between her duties as a ruler and her personal desires.

The political landscape of Bohemia becomes increasingly unstable as raiders attack peaceful communities, dividing the farmers into factions vying for power. Under the influence of ambitious and manipulative chieftains like Domaslav, played by Pavel Kříž, and Vrsovec, portrayed by Marek Vašut, the unity of the land is threatened. Libuše’s people, desperate for stability, eventually force her into a marriage with Přemysl, who then ascends to the throne. However, his rule turns oppressive as he enslaves the once free farmers, asserting his dominance with an iron fist.

Libuše’s close confidante and childhood friend, Lea Mornar, as Vlasta, refuses to accept this new regime. She leads a rebel army of women, dubbed the maiden army, in a fierce war against Přemysl’s forces, fighting for freedom and justice. The conflict escalates when Vlasta kills Ctirad, a brave warrior, played by Miroslav Hrabě, and Domaslav is blinded in the chaos. Momentous confrontations occur, culminating in Přemysl facing Vlasta in a final battle where he kills her, ending her rebellion. Meanwhile, Libuše gives birth to Přemysl’s son, Nezamysl, symbolizing hope for a new beginning.

In the culmination of her legendary story, Libuše makes a profound act of sacrifice by diving into the Vltava river, which is often seen as a symbolic gesture of her transition into legend. Her dive signifies her everlasting presence in Czech mythology as a figure of wisdom, leadership, and mystical power.

This epic tale weaves together themes of love, power, prophecy, and sacrifice, capturing the essence of early Czech legends and the enduring spirit of the land and its people.