For one week, the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary is transformed into a stronghold for film and party lovers. The program includes more than 130 feature films and documentaries.
The 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has begun in the Czech Republic. At the opening gala on Friday evening, Hollywood star and director Viggo Mortensen accepted the award from festival president Jiri Bartoska. “It is a great honor for me that my work as a storyteller in the cinema is being recognized,” said the 65-year-old.
Mortensen became world famous as Aragorn in the “Lord of the Rings” film adaptations. Most recently, he directed the western “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” which was shown as the opening film in Karlovy Vary. The film is due to be released in German cinemas in August. The main role of Vivienne is played by German-Luxembourgish Vicky Krieps. “It was difficult to make this film – it’s always difficult to make a film – but I was able to rely on a wonderful group of actors,” said Mortensen.
Prize also for Daniel Brühl
The German-Spanish actor Daniel Brühl and the Briton Clive Owen will also be awarded the Festival President’s Prize during the festival, which runs until July 6. Brühl will present his directorial debut “Nebenan” from 2021 in the West Bohemian spa town. It is about an actor who is confronted with revelations by his neighbor that put his private life and career in danger.
In total, more than 130 feature films and documentaries are on the program this year. The film festival in Karlovy Vary, which was founded in 1946 and initially took place alternately with its Moscow counterpart, is one of the oldest in the world. Every summer it transforms the picturesque spa town in the west of the Czech Republic into a party hotspot and attracts visitors from home and abroad. Last year, a total of more than 123,000 tickets for film screenings were sold. Karlovy Vary is located just under 70 kilometers south of Chemnitz and around 55 kilometers east of the Bavarian town of Selb.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
