Apart from announcing the winners of the Crystal Globe Competition and the Proxima Competition, the closing ceremony of the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival welcomed two special guests, actors Ivan Trojan and Clive Owen, who received the Festival President’s Awards from the hands of Jiří Bartoška.
Ivan Trojan was presented the award for his contribution to Czech cinema at the beginning of the ceremony. ‘I have always wished to receive this award because it’s really the most beautiful one I have ever seen,” he first thanked for the statuette itself. “As you could see in the edit of my roles, Jiří Bartoška is our God, and not just for me. May you be here with us for many more years, Jirka!” he wished to the Festival President. “Thank you for the standing owen-tion,” he hinted at his fellow actor and informed him that England was playing 0-0 at the Euro. “I would like to thank David Ondříček, who wondered why I hadn't made any film even though I was already 35, so he cast me in his film The Loners. I also thank Jiří Strach, Petr Zelenka, the Dejvické Theater, and my brother, who explained to me how the world worked. Everything I did, I did because I was happy with those people,” said Ivan Trojan, concluding his speech with thanks to his family and the audience.
Clive Owen was presented his award towards the end of the ceremony (when England had already cashed in and then tied the score at 1:1). The British actor, who presented the film Closer at KVIFF, first praised the Karlovy Vary festival and the Czech crews with whom he often worked. He then continued: “A prize like this makes you look back at your career. Mine was launched by a little movie I made, called Croupier. That’s why I always tell young filmmakers who want to make a breakthrough: A breakthrough can often come with a film from which you would not expect it, a project you are passionate about. I myself am more proud of some of my smaller films, many of which were first screened at a film festival. Festivals are more important now than ever. I am really glad to have met Jiří Bartoška, who, for thirty years now, has given young filmmakers the opportunity to find an audience here. I would like to dedicate this award to him,” the star actor said in conclusion.
