American actress Dakota Johnson has received the KVIFF President’s Award and presented the romantic film Materialists.
Karel Och, the festival’s artistic director, introduced Dakota Johnson as “a talented actress renowned for charming performances and inherent acting genes,” before recalling her roots in the famous acting family. Dakota Johnson was born in Texas to Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and her grandmother is Tippi Hedren. A traditional montage of her notable film roles followed on the screen, including excerpts from the films The Lost Daughter, The Social Network, and Madam Web.
“Thank you for this honour”, Dakota Johnson said in Czech in her acceptance speech while receiving the Festival President’s Award, for which the Grand Hall applauded her. “I am grateful to be able to present two films here that I’m most passionate about. “I hope they will warm your hearts,” commenced the actress, who skilfully moves between independent, art, and mainstream films. Materialists, the film presented at the festival, where Dakota Johnson plays the lead, blur the line between these categories as well. She was especially proud of her collaboration with director Celine Song, whom she praised as “an exceptional creator and arguably the best directress of our time.”
“I hope it makes you cry, laugh, and consider your own lives after leaving the cinema. I look forward to you having seen the film,” she concluded her speech.
