The Festival President Jiří Bartoška declared the 53rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival officially opened. In his speech, he noted the 100-year anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia and emphasised the importance of the Festival as one of the oldest cultural events in Czech national history.
The gala Opening Ceremony also paid tribute to the Austin Film Society, a leading American film institute established in 1985. Under its auspices, KVIFF will present nine feature films and two short-film programmes, including the cult debut Slacker directed by Richard Linklater, the founding member of the Austin Film Society, who also gave a speech at the Opening Ceremony.
The actor, director, producer and musician Tim Robbins was welcomed as another esteemed guest, being presented with the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema at the Great Hall. In his acceptance speech, Robbins recalled famous Czech personalities such as Václav Havel, Karel Čapek or Miloš Forman. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to commemorate, at this place, the work of Milos Forman, who undoubtedly influenced the whole film industry. For me, it was a dream come true when I met the inspirational artist, who refused any compromise, in person.”
Robbins invited the audience to fight for tolerance, freedom and progress in the spirit of Nelson Mandela and Vaclav Havel and ditch any trends that drag our society back to the past. He believes that the Karlovy Vary Festival is indeed one of those events that promote the ideas of tolerance and freedom thanks to its resolve, optimism and room for free speech.
Milos Forman was subsequently remembered with the Festival opening film, Loves of a blonde, and also a concert presenting the Czech Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Carl Davis, who played music scores from Forman’s films The Firemen's Ball, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Hair, Amadeus and others.
