slamabad (Monitoring Desk) Fireworks on July 4 may be routine in the U.S., but on Friday night, they lit up the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary, capping off an emotional opening to the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF). The evening proved a poignant tribute to long-time festival president and Czech acting legend Jirí Bartoška, who passed away in May at 78.
The opening ceremony honored actors Peter Sarsgaard and Vicky Krieps, who offered reflections on a divided world, while the premiere of We’ve Got to Frame It! (A Conversation With Jirí Bartoška in July 2021) gave the audience heartfelt insights and laughter. Jury members attending included Roma producer Nicolás Celis, director Babak Jalali, Czech multi-talent Jirí Mádl, critic Jessica Kiang, and Swedish actress Tuva Novotny.
The ceremony featured a dynamic stage performance choreographed by Michal and Simon Cabani, with dancers weaving through beams of light set to music that ranged from energetic to the stirring notes of Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar.
A highlight was host Marek Eben’s tribute to Bartoška in the packed Congress Hall of the Thermal Hotel. “People say nobody is irreplaceable. But that isn’t true,” Eben said, adding, “What Jirí created is a living organism that will outlive us all.” Festival heads Kryštof Mucha and Karel Och also gave tearful thanks.
The evening ended with Ivan Zachariáš’s moving festival trailer starring Bartoška’s friend Bolek Polívka, before crowds spilled out to enjoy the fireworks that beautifully closed the emotional night.
