Better Go Mad in the Wild () is a 2025 documentary film co-written and directed by Miro Remo. The film based on the book of the same name by Czech journalist and writer Aleš Palán, documents the life of identical twin brothers and Ondra, who share everything in Sumava Mountains.
The film, a Czech Republic and Slovak Republic co-production premiered at 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 10 July 2025. It won Crystal Globe in the main competition.
Cast
Ondrej Klisik
Production
The film is based on the one of the stories in the book of the same name by Aleš Palán. The book includes several stories about the Šumava hermits. One of them was about the cast of the film: Franta Klišík and Ondra Klišík. In an interview to Variety, Miro Remo, the director of the film, said, The film was produced by Remo and Tomáš Hrubý for Arsy-Versy, Dušan Husár with Remo shot the film.
Release Better Go Mad in the Wild had its premiere at 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 10 July 2025, where it won the Crystal Globe competing with other eleven feature films.
It was presented in the 'Mission Life - 2025' section of the 56th International Film Festival of India in November 2025.
Reception Marko Stojiljković, reviewing the film at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for Cineuropa, wrote that it has an open-ended narrative and unconventional storytelling. He further opined that it presents an extraordinary life experience that challenges viewers’ expectations, provoking diverse reactions ranging from intrigue to exasperation. Stojiljković commended Miro Remo and Dušan Husár for their cinematography, and highlighted Maté Csuport’s editing for establishing a rhythmic portrayal of the protagonists’ lives. However, he found Adam Matej’s classical-influenced score overly blunt, noting it failed to cohesively bridge the film’s narrative transitions. Concluding the review he observed, "... but it certainly makes for a unique film."
Guy Lodge, reviewing the film for Variety, wrote that it is a poetic and an eccentric documentary. He opined that adapted in part from Aleš Palán’s book, the film employs lyrical narration and observational footage to explore the philosophical reflections and intense interpersonal dynamic of the protagonist duo. Lodge noted that the documentary presents an intimate and contemplative portrait of unconventional rural life through rich cinematography and a whimsical tone.
Phil Hoad, reviewing the film for The Guardian, described it as a surreal documentary combining humour, philosophical reflection and poetry. He highlighted the film's portrayal of the Klišík brothers' isolated life in the Šumava mountains, their complicated relationship and their connection with nature. Hoad praised Remo's approach to the brothers' story and the film's exploration of family, nature, interdependency and love, concluding that it is "rowdy, rapturous and brilliant".
Accolades
Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref 2025 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Crystal Globe Grand Prix Better Go Mad in the Wild 2025 Czech Lion Awards Best Documentary Best Cinematography Dušan Husár, Miro Remo Best Editing Máté Csuport, Šimon Hájek Best Sound Lukáš Kasprzyk, Adam Matej 2025 Sun in a Net Awards Best Documentary Better Go Mad in the Wild
References
External links