Mariana Čengel Solčanská
Writing
Biography
Mariana Čengel Solčanská (born 14 February 1978) is a Slovak film director, screenwriter and writer. Solčanská was born in Nitra, Slovakia. She studied political science and cultural studies at the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra as well as film directing at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava under the supervision of Stanislav Párnický and Martin Šulík. In 2014 she obtained a doctorate in media studies from the Pan-European University. Following a string of short student movies, Solčanská full-length debut was the historical adventure movie The Legend of Flying Cyprian released in 2010, followed by TV film Autopsy. In addition to directing, she authored the script of both movies. In 2013, she directed the social drama Love Me or Leave Me based on the script by Alena Bodingerová. In 2014, she directed and wrote the fairy tale Láska na Vlásku , which became a hit in Slovak cinemas in spite of lukewarm reviews. In the second half of the 2010s, Solčanská directed several movies critical of political developments in Slovakia. She saw the turn towards more overt political messaging as her "civic duty" due to the political developments in the county. In 2017 she directed and wrote the movie Kidnapping, depicting the crimes committed by the Slovak secret service under the authoritative government of Vladimír Mečiar in the 1990. In 2020 she followed up by the thriller Scumbag based on the novel by journalist Arpád Soltész. Both Kidnapping and Scumbag were among the most successful movies in Slovak cinemas since the independence of the country.
Known For

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Milujem Slovensko

Political thriller based on the bestselling book of the same name by writer Arpad Soltész. It is set in the world of high politics, organized crime and big money. A promising member of parliament with the support of mafia starts his own party, which later wins the election with a landslide, and he becomes Prime Minister. Together with him, the country will be ruled by criminals who control the police, the courts and state business and subsidies. The mafia is also behind the disappearance of a teenager, Broni, from a rehabilitation centre. The girl is missing only by her friend Nada. She tells journalist Ondra about the missing inmate and the strange practices used by the management of the facility, such as forced sex or drugging. Based on her testimony, the young editor embarks on a dangerous investigation to uncover high-ranking politicians' links to the underworld and expose their abuse of power to enrich themselves and manipulate others.
Scumbag

Just before World War 1, the fifteen-year-old poverty-stricken Anne from a small Slovak town is sent to Prague to be a maid in a wealthy family. She meets Resi, the daughter of a noble family, who was born and raised to be an adornment and a trophy – of the house, of her family, of Austria-Hungary. Anne and Resi, two girls born in the same year, but at the other ends of the social ladder, find a soulmate in each other. They become best friends, lovers and the only light in a male-dominated world.
The Chambermaid

Historic adventurism movie inspirited by legend about mystery monk, alchemist and healer who made the flying machine according to lost book wrote by Leodardo DaVinci in 18th century.
Legend Of The Flying Cyprian

Magical cave is full of salt and treasure. You can take as much salt as you want but you cannot touch the treasures as something horrible will happen if you do.
The Enchanted Cave

Juraj, a poor yet courageous shepherd, lives in a small village where he is exploited by the ruthless castle lord, Blažej. Driven by a longing to break free from this oppressive life, he dreams of exploring the world and diligently saves money while learning to read and write with guidance from a local teacher. His ambitions take an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Júlia, a noblewoman cursed three centuries ago by greedy relatives who coveted her title and riches. Now bound to her plight, Juraj faces a heart-wrenching dilemma: pursue his dream of freedom or shoulder the burden of aiding Júlia, a lost soul from another era who relies on him for help.
Tri zlaté dukáty

A triangle of love, attraction and hatred in this new Slovak film with fantastic acting performances. Three friends in their best years decide to celebrate a divorce, a fortieth birthday and a new sexual adventure. However, they don't count on Zuza's sixteen-year-old daughter Mira, who, in addition to her rebellion against the world's conventions, brings a hatred for her mother and a desire to be loved at any cost.
Love Me or Leave Me

The last day of the first year of the young Slovak Republic is coming to an end. Everyone is celebrating. The king of the underworld, Efendi, and the President. Only the President has nothing to celebrate. The President, who himself has trodden the path to office, refuses to appoint his clever Chalanis as Minister. The President will become uncomfortable. How to make him listen to what the President wants? The President's son is beaten up in broad daylight by an organised group and taken abroad a few months later. A young Secret Service agent, Oskar, gripped by conscience, confesses to an investigator that he took part in the abduction at the behest of his superiors...
The Kidnapping
Abel is a shy introverted man living on the outskirts of the village. To protect his privacy, he convinces the whole village that he has bought a big black dog. And to complete the illusion, Abel buys imaginary dog kibble and howls at night instead. One day, however, Abel's non-existent dog strangles the neighbor's geese. At some point, reality and illusion will become indistinguishable, and Abel will have to pay for his fabrications.
Ábelův černý pes

In the royal castle, Prince Matthias feels like a prisoner. His father forces him to get engaged to Princess Beatrix, whom he does not love. Matthias takes advantage of a chance encounter with the rogue Tomas, who is his identical double. The boys swap clothes and agree to try on each other's lives for a day. In the morning, Matej is wrongly accused of theft and imprisoned. Tomas has to stay in the castle and although he tries to convince the king that he is not the true prince, no one believes him. The two boys must face a world they have never known before, grow up and learn to take responsibility for their decisions. Their reward will be that they both find true love.
Láska na vlásku

Adéla falls in love with Ľudovít Štúr, a scholar, philosopher, and poet who rebels against the societal conditions in Hungary. A revolution breaks out, and Štúr finds himself caught up in events that will forever change Europe and their fate.
Štúr
Take a look behind the scenes of the creation of the film ŠTÚR thanks to the Film about the Film, which maps the journey of the story of one of the most important figures in Slovak history to the big screen.