Last year, Katarína Gramatová was selected for Future Frames: Generation NEXT of European Cinema – a program organized by European Film Promotion and the Karlovy Vary IFF, during which she presented her graduation short film A Good Mind Grows in Thorny Places (interview here). Shortly afterwards, she completed her directorial feature debut Promise, I’ll Be Fine, which premiered last fall at the Tokyo IFF and is now coming for its European premiere to Karlovy Vary (July 4–12, 2025).
How big of a game changer was participating in the Future Frames for you?
Since I’m going to Karlovy Vary with my film again this year, and have a lot of interviews ahead, I can say that Future Frames has helped me a lot. It was great training – we had excellent masterclasses on pitching and directing. As an editor primarily, I wasn’t used to present myself like that, but during the program I realized that a director has to manage it. Hopefully, I won’t be the one hiding from the questions this year.
From the last interview with you, we already know that you collected material for the script in the so-called hunger valley, in a village of Utekáč, and the lives of the local people inspired you. When a child realizes their parent is involved in a scam and refuses to take part – that is a beautiful conflict for an artistic work, though not so beautiful for a real life. To what extent is the film fictional and to what extent a documentary statement?
The fact that this fraud story happens between a mother and son was purely my creative decision. The theme of complex family relationships and all the unpredictable situations life brings is very close to me, and I enjoy exploring it. Although the film is inspired by reality, its specific shape and form are fictional.
How did you combine the work of boys non-actors with professional actresses (Eva Mores, Jana Oľhová)?
Casting was key for me. I was looking for actors with a strong inner presence, especially in their eyes. Our non-actor had a powerful natural strength, so I had to choose actors who wouldn’t try to overshadow him with expressive gestures, but would act with restraint and inward depth. I really wanted the dialogues to feel authentic, as if the characters were genuinely searching for their words.
Life as a teenager in such an environment, without a single functioning parent, or with completely dysfunctional ones, sounds like hell, yet it’s the reality for many children. Your film is a tool that serves to highlight this reality. Talking about the issue certainly helps. Can we do more?
I made the film precisely to spark discussion. I believe the most important thing is to give more attention to children growing up in families that are long-term reliant on welfare, or in single-parent households. To talk to them, explain the context, name their feelings. I honestly don’t know how I would react to a mother in such a situation. Can one forgive someone who never admits what they’ve done?
The interview was conducted by Veronika Krejčová (National Cinematographic Centre of the SFI).
Promise, I’ll Be Fine
Special Screenings
Screenings:
July 7 | 15:30 | Cinema A (Press & Industry)
July 8 | 11:00 | Grand Hall (premiere)
July 9 | 18:00 | Small Hall
July 11 | 21:00 | Drahomíra Cinema
July 12 | 9:00 | Čas Cinema
