On the announcement, Agnieszka Holland said, “I have always found the very principle of competition in art problematic and it’s why I rarely agree to be a jury member. How can you compare such different movies, especially when watched in different weather, at different times of the day, as the first or last in sequence, or before or after a meal…? However, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to discover (and help) new films at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. It is a different selection – more open and unexpected then other big festivals – chosen with a sensibility that is close to my heart. I am sure that it will be real cinematic experience and that we all – the Jury – will have great time. I think it is an honour to lead the Jury here.”
The Polish filmmaker, who studied at FAMU in Prague, returned to the Czech Republic to shoot a major three-part series for HBO, Burning Bush (2013). This highly emotive drama portraying the circumstances surrounding the self-immolation of Jan Palach, an event the director witnessed during her student days, and is one of this year’s key film events. During the Karlovy Vary festival, visitors will have the chance to see Burning Bush on the big screen for the first time in the Czech Republic.
Two recipients of the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema were announced: Painter and costume designer Theodor Pištěk and Oscar-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone.
Theodor Pištěk has worked on over 100 movies as either costume designer or set designer and was one of director Miloš Forman’s fundamental cooperators. Pištěk won an Academy Award for designing the costumes for Amadeus (1984). He then took a French César for costume design for another of Forman’s movies, Valmont (1989).
The outspoken maverick Stone needs no introduction. However, his most ambitious endeavour yet, which was five years in the making, was a 10-hour documentary series, co-written by Peter Kuznick, a professor of History and Director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University, called The Untold History of the United States (2012). The series focuses on human events that at the time went mostly unreported, but crucially shaped America’s complex history over the 20th century. Initially broadcast in the U.S. on Showtime Network, Stone will present two special chapters to Czech audiences at the festival.
Various Industry panels and workshops, get-togethers, informal accompanying events, and one-on-one meetings will be organized during the 48th Karlovy Vary IFF 2013 to enable film industry professionals to become acquainted with new movies and promising moviemakers and to meet and make new contacts. This year´s activities include:
Industry Days
The Industry days program takes inspiration from the Czech Republic’s history and its geopolitical location at the crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe. It presents upcoming films and talented filmmakers from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet bloc to international sales agents, distributors, coproducers, festival programmers, financial backers, and postproduction service companies from around the world. The ninth Industry Days will take place from June 30 to July 3, 2013.
KVIFF Works in Progress
Every year, producers and filmmakers from Central and Eastern Europe and the states of the Former Soviet Union present their latest feature production at KVIFF´s Works in Progress. This one-day presentation, intended for international sales agents, distributors, coproducers, and festival programmers, will offer a selection of roughly 18 quality feature films whose premieres are expected after July 2013. The films must be recently completed or in post-production, and lack an international sales agent. The most promising project selected by the International Jury will receive an award of 10,000 euros in services from Barrandov Studios, the event’s partner.
Other events announced include, “Cooperation with Hollywood” Panel, The European Parliament’s LUX Prize 2013, Pitch & Feedback and Docu Talents from the East.
