Bulgarian crime story “Blaga’s Lessons” by Stephan Komandarev scored the top prize and $25,000 at the 57th Karlovy Vary Film Festival on Saturday, capping a week of celebrating art film, stars and bold global work.
Calling his film a tribute to his parents’ generation, many of whom have become victims of the rough transition to capitalism, Komandarev accepted his Crystal Globe from actor Robin Wright and fest president Jiri Bartoska.
Wright, on winning the fest president’s prize moments earlier, said festgoers in the Czech spa town have shown a love for experiencing cinemas onscreen, urging them to keep up that passion as streaming platforms erode cinema audiences that have still not fully rebounded from pandemic days. “I thank all of you for supporting cinema. Let’s bring it back – Covid put a bit of downer on that.”
With sold out screenings ranging from Russell Crowe introducing “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World...
Calling his film a tribute to his parents’ generation, many of whom have become victims of the rough transition to capitalism, Komandarev accepted his Crystal Globe from actor Robin Wright and fest president Jiri Bartoska.
Wright, on winning the fest president’s prize moments earlier, said festgoers in the Czech spa town have shown a love for experiencing cinemas onscreen, urging them to keep up that passion as streaming platforms erode cinema audiences that have still not fully rebounded from pandemic days. “I thank all of you for supporting cinema. Let’s bring it back – Covid put a bit of downer on that.”
With sold out screenings ranging from Russell Crowe introducing “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World...
- 7/8/2023
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Self-seriousness is a common trait in the world of European cinema, but the opening night of the 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival was a wholly playful affair, starting with the most unexpected sight of a troupe of acrobatic ice-skating showgirls spinning and whirling through fake snow and dry ice. Mc Marek Eben followed in a similarly feelgood vein, with a dryly witty monologue that touched on current affairs in the Czech Republic and the wider world without getting too heavily into the politics. A “surprise” appearance by festival stalwart Jiří Bartoška, whose attendance was initially in doubt, occasioned the first standing ovation of the night.
One of the bigger stars of this year’s festival was there in spirit, if not in physical form: it is a tradition that a guest to Kv pays back the favor next year with an appearance in one of the festival’s famously irreverent trailers,...
One of the bigger stars of this year’s festival was there in spirit, if not in physical form: it is a tradition that a guest to Kv pays back the favor next year with an appearance in one of the festival’s famously irreverent trailers,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
The sun was out earlier in the day, and the stars, including Alicia Vikander, husband Michael Fassbender, Russell Crowe and competition jury member Patricia Clarkson came out for the Friday evening gala opening ceremony of the 57th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The black-tie opening event for what has been called Central Europe’s biggest cinema party was followed by a free performance by British electronic band Morcheeba just outside the venue, the Hotel Thermal, which serves as the festival’s headquarters. Despite some recurring rainfall, fans came out in big numbers for stargazing as the celebrities arrived and later for grooving to the music.
Both big stars of the evening being honored with lifetime achievement awards also received very, very warm local welcomes. Upon her arrival, Vikander signed some autographs and posed for selfies before entering the venue via its red carpet. Upon entering the event hall,...
The black-tie opening event for what has been called Central Europe’s biggest cinema party was followed by a free performance by British electronic band Morcheeba just outside the venue, the Hotel Thermal, which serves as the festival’s headquarters. Despite some recurring rainfall, fans came out in big numbers for stargazing as the celebrities arrived and later for grooving to the music.
Both big stars of the evening being honored with lifetime achievement awards also received very, very warm local welcomes. Upon her arrival, Vikander signed some autographs and posed for selfies before entering the venue via its red carpet. Upon entering the event hall,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Signing on for the fans - Benicio Del Toro at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Photo: Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
He is the epitome of cool allure combined with an acting prowess that has won him scores of awards and the approval of his peers.
Benicio Del Toro, for it is he, has rocked up at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this weekend to receive the President’s Award from Festival supremo Jiří Bartoška, to acclaim from adoring Czech crowds.
Del Toro’s name seems to inspire a certain reverence from his colleagues. For Brad Pitt, Del Toro's co-star in Guy Ritchie's gangster movie Snatch, "he is about as good as they come. He is amazing."
"He's very cool," agreed Taye Diggs who worked alongside him in Christopher McQuarrie's modern western The Way Of The Gun. "I was watching him work, just stealing from him, waiting...
He is the epitome of cool allure combined with an acting prowess that has won him scores of awards and the approval of his peers.
Benicio Del Toro, for it is he, has rocked up at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this weekend to receive the President’s Award from Festival supremo Jiří Bartoška, to acclaim from adoring Czech crowds.
Del Toro’s name seems to inspire a certain reverence from his colleagues. For Brad Pitt, Del Toro's co-star in Guy Ritchie's gangster movie Snatch, "he is about as good as they come. He is amazing."
"He's very cool," agreed Taye Diggs who worked alongside him in Christopher McQuarrie's modern western The Way Of The Gun. "I was watching him work, just stealing from him, waiting...
- 7/8/2022
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
After sitting out 2020 and hosting last year’s showing at a later-than-usual date and with a slightly smaller scale, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic city kicked off this year’s full-throttle 56th edition with a fiery cocktail of pop and politics that carried through to the next day.
Friday night’s opening ceremony neatly set the scene, marrying ebullience and elegy as dancers from the Cabani troupe writhed around literal fireballs onstage before festival president Jiří Bartoška struck more somber tones as he reflected on the recent loss of longtime festival matriarch Eva Zaoralova and on the ever-continuing conflict in Ukraine.
Swinging back toward the poppier side of the spectrum, opening film “Superheroes” launched this year’s edition with a dose of operatic Italian emotion.
Also Read:
Karlovy Vary Film Festival to Honor Geoffrey Rush, Benicio Del Toro
Directed by Paolo Genovese and led by...
Friday night’s opening ceremony neatly set the scene, marrying ebullience and elegy as dancers from the Cabani troupe writhed around literal fireballs onstage before festival president Jiří Bartoška struck more somber tones as he reflected on the recent loss of longtime festival matriarch Eva Zaoralova and on the ever-continuing conflict in Ukraine.
Swinging back toward the poppier side of the spectrum, opening film “Superheroes” launched this year’s edition with a dose of operatic Italian emotion.
Also Read:
Karlovy Vary Film Festival to Honor Geoffrey Rush, Benicio Del Toro
Directed by Paolo Genovese and led by...
- 7/2/2022
- by Ben Croll
- The Wrap
While Ukrainian filmmakers have called out international festivals such as Cannes and Karlovy Vary for the inclusion of Russian titles in their lineups, Liev Schreiber, who has Ukrainian roots stemming from his maternal grandfather, admits he “struggles” with the idea of boycotting art of any kind.
“I struggle with the idea of boycotting any kind of art or expression,” Schreiber told journalists at a press conference at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Saturday. “Having said that, the reason that I believe, and everyone always asked me why I think Ukraine is going to win, is because I believe that they are going to come out of this eventually on the right side of history. And I believe that because they have the truth on their side.”
Schreiber, who was in town to discuss his initiative BlueCheck Ukraine, stressed that what is most in play right now is truth in the media,...
“I struggle with the idea of boycotting any kind of art or expression,” Schreiber told journalists at a press conference at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Saturday. “Having said that, the reason that I believe, and everyone always asked me why I think Ukraine is going to win, is because I believe that they are going to come out of this eventually on the right side of history. And I believe that because they have the truth on their side.”
Schreiber, who was in town to discuss his initiative BlueCheck Ukraine, stressed that what is most in play right now is truth in the media,...
- 7/2/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Crowds gather for Karlovy Vary’s opening film Superheroes followed by a concert and fireworks Photo: Kviff Festival president Jiří Bartoška arrives for the opening ceremony Photo: Kviff After two years in the pandemic doldrums the Karlovy International Film Festival burst back on the scene last night with a determinedly bold face for its 56th edition with its usual eclectic mix of red carpet glamour, live music, a party free-for-all in that icon of brutalist arcand fireworks over the wooded hills of the Bohemian spa town.
The opening film Superheroes was well chosen to reflect the feel-good vibe, directed by Paolo Genovese, whose credits include Perfect Strangers and deals with romantic love and the passing of time.
Alessandro Borghi and Jasmine Trinca play the two protagonists Anna and Marco and Genovese follows their relationship through various twists and turns over a period of 20 years.
She is a rebellious cartoonist and allergic to conventions,...
The opening film Superheroes was well chosen to reflect the feel-good vibe, directed by Paolo Genovese, whose credits include Perfect Strangers and deals with romantic love and the passing of time.
Alessandro Borghi and Jasmine Trinca play the two protagonists Anna and Marco and Genovese follows their relationship through various twists and turns over a period of 20 years.
She is a rebellious cartoonist and allergic to conventions,...
- 7/2/2022
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Audience members encouraged to scan Qr code, which led to YouTube video.
The 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival got underway with an unconventional instruction for cinemagoers – to take their phones out.
Prior to the beginning of the event on Friday, July 1, attendees were requested over the public address system “to turn on” their mobile phones, “and take video during the ceremony”.
The event started with a large Qr code projected on the screen in the Hotel Thermal’s Velky sal auditorium. Those who scanned it were connected to a YouTube video promoting the event, creating a strange but communal...
The 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival got underway with an unconventional instruction for cinemagoers – to take their phones out.
Prior to the beginning of the event on Friday, July 1, attendees were requested over the public address system “to turn on” their mobile phones, “and take video during the ceremony”.
The event started with a large Qr code projected on the screen in the Hotel Thermal’s Velky sal auditorium. Those who scanned it were connected to a YouTube video promoting the event, creating a strange but communal...
- 7/2/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
While Covid cases begin to surge again in Hollywood, it’s a different story nearly 6,000 miles away as the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival kicked off with a bang on Friday night. The prominent Central European festival showed no sign that the pandemic was going to mar yet another edition of the much-loved event as delegates packed into the Hotel Thermal’s Grand Hall for its opening night ceremony and opening night film Superheroes, from Italian director Paolo Genovese.
The 56th edition of the event opened with an unexpected announcement, asking audience members to turn on their phones and start recording as a huge Qr code saying “Scan Me” was unveiled on the screen. Delegates were able to watch festival dancers online on their mobile devices via the Qr code before they descended onto the stage with an energetic and well-choreographed dance number featuring dramatic flames of fire exploding upwards...
The 56th edition of the event opened with an unexpected announcement, asking audience members to turn on their phones and start recording as a huge Qr code saying “Scan Me” was unveiled on the screen. Delegates were able to watch festival dancers online on their mobile devices via the Qr code before they descended onto the stage with an energetic and well-choreographed dance number featuring dramatic flames of fire exploding upwards...
- 7/1/2022
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
As its 56th edition – running July 1-9 – kicks off, Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival is ready to party like it’s 2019.
“We can’t predict how many people will come, as some still don’t want to travel, but it’s supposed to be as close to [pre-pandemic] 2019 as possible,” says artistic director Karel Och, noting the audience is still one of the festival’s biggest assets.
It’s their enthusiasm for cinema that has “enchanted even big Hollywood stars,” echoes president Jiří Bartoška, hoping for a great atmosphere in Karlovy Vary.
But there have been significant changes at the festival, starting with the death of the longtime artistic advisor and former artistic director Eva Zaoralová in March.
“When it happened, it was just like when Bowie died — certain people you just consider immortal,” says Och. The festival will celebrate Zaoralová with an exhibition of photographs and a screening of her favorite film,...
“We can’t predict how many people will come, as some still don’t want to travel, but it’s supposed to be as close to [pre-pandemic] 2019 as possible,” says artistic director Karel Och, noting the audience is still one of the festival’s biggest assets.
It’s their enthusiasm for cinema that has “enchanted even big Hollywood stars,” echoes president Jiří Bartoška, hoping for a great atmosphere in Karlovy Vary.
But there have been significant changes at the festival, starting with the death of the longtime artistic advisor and former artistic director Eva Zaoralová in March.
“When it happened, it was just like when Bowie died — certain people you just consider immortal,” says Och. The festival will celebrate Zaoralová with an exhibition of photographs and a screening of her favorite film,...
- 7/1/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival roared back to life Friday following the disruption of the pandemic years.
And the opening ceremony kicked off with a bit of digital disruption: the audience was invited to pull out their mobile phones and follow festival dancers online before they burst onto the stage with a real-life fire show.
The Czech Republic’s main event in the art film world, the festival this year screens some 132 narrative and doc films and has become a hub for filmmakers, producers and regional orgs.
But even as enthusiastic, unmasked crowds cheered on the launch of the nine-day event at the iconic 70s-tastic Hotel Thermal, a sense of loss pervaded the proceedings.
Many eyes in the hotel’s soaring Grand Hall misted over during the opening night tribute to former fest artistic director Eva Zaoralova, who died in March at 89.
In many ways the architect of the...
And the opening ceremony kicked off with a bit of digital disruption: the audience was invited to pull out their mobile phones and follow festival dancers online before they burst onto the stage with a real-life fire show.
The Czech Republic’s main event in the art film world, the festival this year screens some 132 narrative and doc films and has become a hub for filmmakers, producers and regional orgs.
But even as enthusiastic, unmasked crowds cheered on the launch of the nine-day event at the iconic 70s-tastic Hotel Thermal, a sense of loss pervaded the proceedings.
Many eyes in the hotel’s soaring Grand Hall misted over during the opening night tribute to former fest artistic director Eva Zaoralova, who died in March at 89.
In many ways the architect of the...
- 7/1/2022
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
Festival organisers respond to critical open letter from Ukrainian filmmakers.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has refused to withdraw a state-backed Russian film from its upcoming edition despite an open letter of protest from a group of Ukrainian directors.
The festival in the Czech Republic is set to screen Stalin-era drama Captain Volkonogov Escaped on July 1 as part of its Horizons strand. Directed by Natasha Merlulova and Aleksey Chupov, the film premiered in competition at Venice last year and its production received support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Kviff has previously denounced Russia’s invasion of...
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has refused to withdraw a state-backed Russian film from its upcoming edition despite an open letter of protest from a group of Ukrainian directors.
The festival in the Czech Republic is set to screen Stalin-era drama Captain Volkonogov Escaped on July 1 as part of its Horizons strand. Directed by Natasha Merlulova and Aleksey Chupov, the film premiered in competition at Venice last year and its production received support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Kviff has previously denounced Russia’s invasion of...
- 6/28/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Festival organisers respond to critical open letter from Ukrainian filmmakers.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has refused to withdraw a state-backed Russian film from its upcoming edition despite an open letter of protest from a group of Ukrainian directors.
The festival in the Czech Republic is set to screen Stalin-era drama Captain Volkonogov Escaped on July 1 as part of its Horizons strand. Directed by Natasha Merlulova and Aleksey Chupov, the film premiered in competition at Venice last year and its production received support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Kviff has previously denounced Russia’s invasion of...
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has refused to withdraw a state-backed Russian film from its upcoming edition despite an open letter of protest from a group of Ukrainian directors.
The festival in the Czech Republic is set to screen Stalin-era drama Captain Volkonogov Escaped on July 1 as part of its Horizons strand. Directed by Natasha Merlulova and Aleksey Chupov, the film premiered in competition at Venice last year and its production received support from the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
Kviff has previously denounced Russia’s invasion of...
- 6/28/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Geoffrey Rush and Benicio Del Toro will receive honours in Karlovy Vary Photo: Kviff
Oscar-winning actors Geoffrey Rush and Benicio Del Toro will be honoured in the Czech Republic at the forthcoming edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (July 1-July 9) in programme plans announced today in Prague.
Both the actors will receive awards at the festival's closing ceremony in the Bohemian spa town. As part of the tribute to Rush, who will receive the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema, the Festival will screen The King's Speech, Quills and Shine. Titles chosen for Del Toro, who will next be seen starring in the crime thriller Reptile, starring opposite Justin Timberlake, for Netflix, are Traffic and The Usual Suspects. He will receive the Kviff President’s Award.
Jake Paltrow’s June Zero receives a special screening at Karlovy Vary Photo: Kviff “We are honoured and delighted...
Oscar-winning actors Geoffrey Rush and Benicio Del Toro will be honoured in the Czech Republic at the forthcoming edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (July 1-July 9) in programme plans announced today in Prague.
Both the actors will receive awards at the festival's closing ceremony in the Bohemian spa town. As part of the tribute to Rush, who will receive the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema, the Festival will screen The King's Speech, Quills and Shine. Titles chosen for Del Toro, who will next be seen starring in the crime thriller Reptile, starring opposite Justin Timberlake, for Netflix, are Traffic and The Usual Suspects. He will receive the Kviff President’s Award.
Jake Paltrow’s June Zero receives a special screening at Karlovy Vary Photo: Kviff “We are honoured and delighted...
- 6/21/2022
- by Richard Mowe
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Oscar-winning actors Geoffrey Rush and Benicio Del Toro will be feted at the 56th edition of the Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival, which will run July 1-9. The actors will receive their awards at the festival’s closing ceremony. The Czech event has also revealed its juries.
“We are honored and delighted that two extraordinary actors we have been deeply admiring for many years accepted our invitation to come to Karlovy Vary,” said Kviff’s president Jiří Bartoška.
Rush will receive the festival’s Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema, and his films “The King’s Speech,” “Quills” and “Shine” will be screened as an homage to the actor.
Rush began his career in theater with the Queensland Theater Company. An important turning point in his cinematic career came in 1996, when he excelled in the role of composer and pianist David Helfgott in Scott Hick’s “Shine,” which won him an Oscar,...
“We are honored and delighted that two extraordinary actors we have been deeply admiring for many years accepted our invitation to come to Karlovy Vary,” said Kviff’s president Jiří Bartoška.
Rush will receive the festival’s Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema, and his films “The King’s Speech,” “Quills” and “Shine” will be screened as an homage to the actor.
Rush began his career in theater with the Queensland Theater Company. An important turning point in his cinematic career came in 1996, when he excelled in the role of composer and pianist David Helfgott in Scott Hick’s “Shine,” which won him an Oscar,...
- 6/21/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Geoffrey Rush and Benicio Del Toro will be honored with career awards at the 56th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Kviff), running July 1-9 against the backdrop of the picturesque Czech Republic spa town.
Australian actor Rush will receive the festival’s Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema.
The King’s Speech, for which Rush won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe, Quills and Shine will screen in the festival as part of the homage to the actor.
Del Toro will be honored with the Kviff President’s Award, celebrating actors, directors, and producers who have made a fundamental contribution to the development of film and cinema.
The homage will also include screenings of Del Toro’s 1995 international breakthrough film The Usual Suspects and Traffic, for which he won an Oscar as well as a Golden Globe, BAFTA and Silver...
Australian actor Rush will receive the festival’s Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema.
The King’s Speech, for which Rush won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe, Quills and Shine will screen in the festival as part of the homage to the actor.
Del Toro will be honored with the Kviff President’s Award, celebrating actors, directors, and producers who have made a fundamental contribution to the development of film and cinema.
The homage will also include screenings of Del Toro’s 1995 international breakthrough film The Usual Suspects and Traffic, for which he won an Oscar as well as a Golden Globe, BAFTA and Silver...
- 6/21/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Jude Law showed off his singing skills at a film festival in the Czech Republic this week (beg05Jul10), taking to the stage for a karaoke rendition of Chuck Berry's classic Johnny B. Goode.
The Alfie star attended the 45th Karlovy Vary Film Festival (Kviff) on Monday in Carlsbad, Czech Republic, where he was presented with a special award for his contribution to movies.
To celebrate the honour, Law dined with the festival's president Jiri Bartoska, and later took over the microphone for a karaoke singalong - belting out Berry's iconic track for the delighted crowd, according to Britain's The Sun.
The Alfie star attended the 45th Karlovy Vary Film Festival (Kviff) on Monday in Carlsbad, Czech Republic, where he was presented with a special award for his contribution to movies.
To celebrate the honour, Law dined with the festival's president Jiri Bartoska, and later took over the microphone for a karaoke singalong - belting out Berry's iconic track for the delighted crowd, according to Britain's The Sun.
- 7/6/2010
- WENN
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