Actors
Beata Greneche – Ilona
A Slovak actress born in Revuca; she studied at grammar school in Bratislava. While studying at primary and secondary school, she attended the dramatic school LUDUS. After finishing her studies at grammar school she started to study VŠMU (Academy of Performing Arts), majoring in acting. After she graduated, she captured a director of prestigious French dramatic school at a drama festival; she accepted his offer to continue studying and moved to France for several years. While living in Paris, which became her second home, she completed another dramatic school – École Florent.
During and after her studies she acted in many dramas: Death of a Salesman, Caligula (Slovak National Theatre), Macbeth (Reduta), Twelth Night (graduate's performance), Žizň čeloveka (The Life of Man; LUDUS); La scuola (Astorka Theatre); during her acting in Mandapha Theatre in Paris: Une place lucrative and En pleine mer.
Besides minor film parts she acted in Slovak or French films, she became famous for her leading part in the film Post Coitum by Juraj Jakubisko. Then she acted in the controversial film Born into Shit (Po hlavě do prdele) directed by Marcel Bystron; and after that she played the part of Ilona in the historical film Bathory.
For some time she also worked as a presenter in the radio and on TV, she worked in dubbing. At the present time she lives and works in Prague and Paris.
Film character
Ilona Jo was a real historical character, Erzsebet's children nanny and her help with alleged killing and torturing of girls. The historical sources depict her as an old, repulsive humpback with eyes wide open. The film character of Ilona is not definitely so disgusting.
Loyal Ilona stands by Erzsebet's side, she accompanies her on journeys, looks after her children and is her confidant. And similarly to reality, she pays the highest price for her services.