Published: August 24, 2021| 08:59 PM

Finnish director Juho Kuosmanen has come to Vary for the third time to introduce the Czech premiere of his new work Compartment No. 6. This road movie on a train about a meeting between a Finnish student and Russian worker won the jury's Grand Prix at Cannes this year.

"This festival means a lot to me. When I was first here with my debut The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki, I could feel right away I was going to enjoy it here. When I was on the jury for East of the West the year before last, I found a Russian actor here for the second main role of my new work. The Karlovy Vary festival is thus important for me both professionally and personally and I am very glad it is taking place again," said Kuosmanen.

He also brought actress Seidi Haarla with him to Vary, this year's Shooting Star from the Berlinale. "This is my first time here and I'm excited and honoured. It is heart-warming to see people sitting in the theatre next to each other here. In Finland it's not like that," said Haarla.