events 2009

Film Festival's Blog

For me, it is a habit to spent beginning of the summer holidays in Karlovy Vary.  It is not because of local renowned spa but of the international film festival.  It is an extraordinary event for its selection of movies and for the atmosphere it brings to an otherwise calm city.  In my blog I will try to bring some of the festival atmosphere.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

The most important is the selection of films.  To pick up the right one it is so difficult, there are many and many possibilities.  If you get up late in the morning you might not be able to get the ticket to the movie you have chosen.  Famous French actress Isabelle Huppert arrives tonight, you might know her from movies 8 Women and The Piano Teacher.  Her appearance might invoke that she is vulnerable; but, when you meet her, see her, she seem to be a very strong and a self­-confident woman. There are many visitors - cinema goers in Karlovy Vary.  Another times peaceful boulevards are full of students, filmmakers and film fans; among them many foreigners – Germans, Brits, and of course Americans, those mainly living in the Czech Republic.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Finally in Karlovy Vary, after a year.  One always looks forward; however, later is scared what all is waiting for him… and there is a lot.  Important is to pick up right films and the best parties; I have only week and there are 234 movies in the festival directory.  In the main category are 14 films, none of them is Czech, but one is American – Cold Souls directed by Sophie Barthes.  What its chances are, I have not heard yet.  On the other hand, inconsistent views on another U.S. film were expressed by some of my friends – it was The Greatest directed by Shana Feste, which opened the festival after the introduction ceremony.