Gump the Canine Mentor
Film Gump – the dog who taught people how to live (2021) by director and cinematographer František A. Brabec was mostly filmed in the Central Bohemia and Ústí nad Labem areas. It draws significant inspiration from the real experiences of abandoned or mistreated dogs. This heartwarming film is based on a book written by Filip Rožek, which features actual stories about dogs. It has even become the top-selling book in the Czech Republic, with the money raised being donated to dog rescue efforts. The narrative unfolds from a dog’s viewpoint and illustrates the human experience through the eyes of an animal that faces challenges but also embodies deep loyalty, hope, and wisdom, teaching humans a fresh way to see life. Gump the dog is voiced by actor Ivan Trojan, and the film includes performances from other big names in Czech cinema, like Bolek Polívka, Eva Holubová, Ivana Chýlková, Karel Roden, Nela Boudová, Richard Krajčo, Jana Plodková, among many others.
If you’re curious about where to go to explore places related to Gump, consider visiting Bare Hill near Trebenice and check out Velvary and Salty. The location that symbolizes a dog’s dreamland beyond the Rainbow Bridge is actually Mount Rana, which is definitely worth the trip. Here, you can see paragliders and, if you’re lucky, spot the flourishing gopher population. If you’re searching for The Sanctuary where Gump spent some time, head to Tábor in South Bohemia (on Vápenná strouha Street). The vet who treated Gump, portrayed by Karel Roden, is found in Prague on Ke Kamýku Street (iVet). Other sites in Prague include Baba Hill with its ruins and the Little River in Stromovka.
Nearly three years after the release of Gump – The Dog Who Taught People How to Live, which attracted more than 200,000 viewers, director F. A. Brabec has expressed his desire to create another Gump film. In the upcoming movie Gump – we are two (2024), the lead role of Gump’s new owner is played by Richard Krajčo. Josef Vojtek takes on the role of the butcher, while Vic Kerekes plays Mommy Bones, and Martina Pártlová portrays the hospital janitor. The film will also feature familiar faces like Eva Holubová, Ivana Chýlková, Karel Roden, and Anna Šulcová. The music for this film was composed by Ondřej Gregor Brzobohatý. The main theme song, Life is Beautiful, was performed by Richard Krajčo and his band Kryštof. The second installment of Gump is emotional, surprising, heartwarming, humorous, and, of course, invites us to delve a little deeper into what we call our soul.
As part of the Gump sequel, the filmmakers set a record for the highest number of dogs in a movie. In Louňovice pod Blaníkem during the summer of 2023, over ten thousand people joined by three and a half thousand dogs came together to hike up Mount Blaník. Besides filming in the Benešov area, scenes were also shot on Přední Chlum near the Orlická dam and at the Bustehrad shelter Na Bouchalce.
