Published: June 30, 2023| 08:07 PM

The 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has officially started tonight. At the beginning of the ceremony, Marek Eben welcomed the foreign guests and introduced the juries as well as the eagerly awaited new festival trailer starring Johnny Depp. You can now watch it not only in cinemas, but also online at KVIFF.TV. 

KVIFF President Jiří Bartoška was greeted in the Grand Hall with a standing ovation. “Filmmakers are chroniclers who write accounts of challenging times – cruelty, joy and love. I believe that they will also take note of the aggression of one state against its neighbour. Let’s not forget they also portray hope,” he mused to the audience.

Bartoška then presented the KVIFF President’s Award to Swedish Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander. “I am always happy to return to the Czech Republic. This is where my international career began,” she recalled the filming of the Danish film A Royal Affair that made her famous. She then introduced the opening film of the 57th KVIFF Firebrand in which she played a queen again, but this time the last wife of Henry VIII,  Catherine Parr. Karim Aïnouz’s new film has only been screened at Cannes so far. 

The Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema was then awarded to Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe. In his speech, he praised the organisers of the festival, which “runs like clockwork”, and reflected on his rich career. “I started acting when I was six years old. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to work only on projects that I had a deeper connection to,” he revealed. “The older I get, the more profound my relationship with cinema becomes. I love how much difference it can make. And sometimes all it takes is one voice to make that difference. May it be your voice,” he wished the attending filmmakers. Finally, he invited the audience to a concert in front of Hotel Thermal, where he performs with his band Indoor Garden Party from 10:45 p.m. 

Jiří Bartoška closed the ceremony with the traditional opening proclamation: “Let the 57th year of the festival begin!” We are excited to enjoy the festival of cinema with you.