Published: July 08, 2023| 09:38 PM

President Jiří Bartoška honoured two outstanding actresses, who have left an impressive mark in film history, at the closing ceremony of the 57th KVIFF.

American actress Robin Wright was presented with the first KVIFF President’s Award. “This award is quite remarkable as it is not for a particular performance. I did the maths and realized that the 40 years I have been acting rather feel like four. To have a job like this and to love it is something special,” mused the actress, who portrayed the Princess Bride, the love of Forrest Gump’s life, or the reserved Mrs Underwood in the House of Cards series, in her thank-you speech. “I would like to thank the whole festival team – this is indeed one of the best festivals I have attended. Thank you for supporting films.” The actress then expressed her gratitude to the audience and her wish that they start coming to the cinemas like before the Covid pandemics. 

Daniela Kolářová received the second  KVIFF President’s Award. “I spent my youth from the age of four to eighteen in Karlovy Vary and I have fond memories of the town. All I would say is that I am grateful that Hotel Pupp is called Pupp again. When we had dance lessons here, it was called Hotel Moscow,” said the favourite Czech actress. The star of films such as Empties, Summer with a Cowboy and the comedy Ball Lightning, which was screened at KVIFF, further shared her memories of the times of normalisation after the 1968 Russian occupation.

“Censorship was restored, the political representation as a whole bowed to the occupying troops. Under these horrid circumstances, I was incredibly lucky to work with excellent fellow actors. I met intelligent and decent people, and I am glad that I am still surrounded by such people. A sense of humour was a must as a safety brake for survival,” the actress revealed in her thank-you speech and wished Czech cinema to have many fine filmmakers.

KVIFF President Jiří Bartoška gave the final speech at the gala evening. “Next year, it will be 30 years since our team was asked to get the festival off the ground. I believe we have been quite successful,” he told the audience. “I hereby declare the 57th KVIFF closed.”​

The next, 58th KVIFF will take place from 28 June to 6 July 2024.