Mariana Čengel Solčanská
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 & Full Filmography4 Titles
Drama Series - 2013, 16 episodes • Main Cast Role
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2023, 2h 15m • as Mamička
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.
Movie - 2013, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
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.
Movie - 2017, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
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...