Valruzia

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"Hell on Terra" wins all major awards in 41th edition of Kojak Awards

The groundbreaking sports drama shatters taboos around abuse, sexuality, and identity in youth athletics

April 5681

Part of the cast of "Hell on Terra" during one of the scenes

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In a not-so-surprising ending, the psychological sports drama series "Hell on Earth" dominated the 41st Kojak Awards in Nowogard last night, claiming Best Series, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor, Best Actress and both of Best Supporting roles, in an unprecedented sweep that cements its place as a milestone in Valruzian television history and marking a feat that it's difficult to be repeated.

Produced by Aurora Pictures and directed by Tomasz Beranek in his debut, the series has become both a ratings and social media phenomenon, and has already been dubbed in Luthorian, Egelian and Istalian, among other languages. Set in an elite national sports academy, Hell on Earth follows a group of teenage and young athletes who are shaped and shattered by an unforgiving system that prizes victory above their own humanity and health.

Behind its polished lines and carefully designed aesthetics, the spectator finds a brutal portrayal of ambition, personal relationships and the question of "how far are you capable of going to pursue your dreams". The show touches issues such as eating disorders, psychological and substance abuse, sexual exploitation and identity crises among young athletes, exploring how the relentless and forced pursuit of excellence above everything else, even your own health, can turn adolescence into a psychological war zone.

"We wanted to explore the price of perfection" said Beranek during his acceptance speech. "Many young athletes are told that pain is a virtue and that fear is weakness, until they forget who they are beyond the medals and believe they are no more than a perfect score"

Lead actress Natalia Wieczorek delivers a tear-weeping and impressive performance as Klara, a 19-year-old gymnast divided between her personal – and family – ambition and her own self-worth, self-esteem and personal relationships with his boyfriend and friends alike. Her co-star Filip Mroz, who plays Dawid, a closeted wrestler facing discrimination, isolation and his own doubts, won Best Supporting Actor, and dedicated his award "to every athlete who has ever been told to hide who they are if they wanted to succeed in their careers". "In many sports, if not most of them, athletes are told that triumph can only come hand by hand with silence, hiding who they are if they don't fit into the norm. But to younger generations I want to tell them that it doesn’t. Real strength is looking at yourself and saying: I deserve to exist just as I am, and to be valued by my performance, not by who I am". A retired wrestler himself, Mróz turned to acting after an injury ended his sporting career, an experience that gives his portrayal an extra dose of authenticity.

One of the most talked-about subplots of the series revolves around Luka, a trans swimmer portrayed by newcomer Jan Czarnecki and whose journey through issues throgough the series tackling hormonal suppression, bureaucratic hurdles and social rejection has sparked more than one debate in many homes for sure. "It’s the first time Valruzian television has portrayed a trans athlete, and it’s forcing the viewers to confront realities they have ignored or they didn't know at all existed for decades. And I think that's good, and if I can contribute to it, I'm more than proud of it" said Czarnecki, the first trans person to win an award in the Kojak Awards. 

When contacted, the Valruzian Swimming Federation declined to comment, while several conservative commentators accused the show of "promoting confusion in youth sports". Yet the audience response has been overwhelmingly positive, with Hell on Terra becoming VZPlay’s most-watched original, reaching 27 million streams in its first month and earning global distribution deals across Majatra, Seleya, Dovani or Keris.

The government praised the show’s "contribution to personal introspection", with Minister of Culture Katarzyna Prokop (Sovereign Valruzia) saying in a statement that Hell on Terra "shows that Valruzia’s film industry is not afraid of touching issues that may be uncomfortable for some, but a harsh reality for many others".

At the Nowogard National Theatre, the cast and crew received standing ovations. The audience included Chancellor Iwan Nowik, who congratulated the team personally, calling the series "a work of courage and compassion".

While hailed as a masterpiece by critics, Hell on Terra has polarized some viewers, with right-leaning outlets calling the series "an ideological weapon of current modernity". "How is it propaganda to portray the reality of many athletes' day-to day?" responded retorically director Beranek.

Following the ceremony, Aurora Pictures confirmed that production of Season 2 is set to begin at the end of this summer. 

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See full list of awards below:

• Best Film: Tantro (Silver Star Productions)
  
• Best Series: Hell on Terra (Aurora Productions)
  
• Best Direction (Series): Tomasz Beranek (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Direction (Film): Jakub Malinowski (Echoes of the North)
  
• Best Screenplay (Series): Tomasz Beranek and Karolina Lis (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Screenplay (Film): Katarzyna Wolna (Tantro)
  
• Best Actress: Natalia Wieczorek (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Actor: Mateusz Woniak (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Supporting Actress: Marta Wrona (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Supporting Actor: Filip Mroz (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Cinematography (Series): Piotr Niemiec (Hell on Terra)
  
• Best Soundtrack: Echoes of the North (Directed by Dawid Strzelecki)
  
• Best Editing: The Silent Choir (Directed by Hanna Piatek)
  
• Best Production Design: Hell on Terra
  
• Best Costume Design: The Kingdom of Dust (Directed by Aneta Walczak)
  
• Best Visual Effects: Children of the Tide 
  
• Best Documentary: The Age of the Revolutionaries (AZM Media)
  
• Audience Choice Award: Hell on Terra
  
• New Talent Award: Jan Czarnecki (Hell on Terra)
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Janina Stawska, "for her four-decade contribution to Valruzian television and theatre"