A Demon, Peruvian Time Travel and the “Czechoslovak Tom Jones”: Eight Offbeat Films in Karlovy Vary

This year’s 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), starting in the Czech spa town this coming Friday, presents another exciting blend of fresh debuts and undiscovered treasures to uncover, along with notable selections from the previous year’s film festival circuit.

Following the usual custom, Central Europe‘s largest cinema festival and party will showcase a mix of regional and international films. Once again, KVIFF will highlight some unconventional, even eccentric movies for film enthusiasts, trendsetters, and industry professionals at its 2025 event, taking place from July 4th to the 12th.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the more peculiar and offbeat films that KVIFF will screen at its 2025 edition for moviegoers, influencers, and industry experts.

The “Czechoslovak Tom Jones”
Duchoň
Specially Selected Screenings section

This way, the text maintains its original meaning while making it easier to read and understand for a general audience.

Titles such as “Czardas of Two Hearts“, “In the Slovak Valleys “, and “I Love You” are some of the hits that propelled pop singer Karol Duchoň to fame over four decades ago, a name now resonating with younger generations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as “Czechoslovak Tom Jones.”

At KVIFF, Peter Bebjak’s (“The Line”, “Nineties”) cinematic portrayal of the singer is based on a stage play by Jiří Havelka and Róbert titled “The Earth Remembers” (Zem pamätá). The festival hints at “subtle irony” in this depiction.

It seems that “It’s Not Unusual” might not be the fitting song to describe this portrayal of Karol Duchoň, who is also known as “Jimmy Jaguar” or simply “Jagu” in the Crystal Globe Competition section.

In simple terms, the movie titled “Hungarian film by Bence Fliegauf” follows the character named Jimmy Jaguar, also known as Jagu, who is a demonic entity. He moves from one soul to another, stirring up a hidden darkness within them. These individuals become tools for revenge. The victims, who appear to be selected randomly without any clear pattern, all seem to possess an eerie quality in common. The film is set in the barren and unforgiving landscapes of Hungary where the air holds a heavy silence, and secrets lie buried beneath the soil. If you listen carefully, you might hear the quiet rumble with danger or catch whispers from the past. The peculiarity about these victims is that they cannot be killed, as it’s against the law to do so.

Peruvian time travel
The Anatomy of the Horses
Proxima Competition section

For an intriguing movie teaser with an unexpected turn, consider this: “After being defeated in battle, Ángel returns to his secluded Peruvian Andean village. However, upon arrival, he discovers that the 18th century has mysteriously morphed into modern times.”

This co-production between Spain, Peru, Colombia, and France offers a unique exploration of contemporary issues in Peru, questioning whether revolutionary thinking still holds relevance. Alongside Ángel, audiences will follow Eustaquia, a character seeking her lost sister on this quest.

With visually captivating cinematography by Angello Faccini, The Anatomy of the Horses promises to whisk viewers on an intellectually stimulating journey through the space-time continuum, according to KVIFF.

– Insane Twins
– Go Crazy in the Wilderness

Crystal Globe Competition section

Miro Remo’s latest film, titled similarly to a book by Aleš Palán and Jan Šibík, explores the idea posed in the book: is it possible to live one’s entire life in a single place? As described by KVIFF, this movie seems to be an unconventional journey that delves into this thought-provoking question.

The story revolves around two twins named František and Ondřej Klišík who choose to live secluded from civilization. The festival website poses a question about them: “Are they eccentric madmen or captivating, impassioned storytellers?”

Regardless of their label, these characters provide an opportunity for reflection for us all. By living in simple rural bliss, they invite us to reconsider our sources of inspiration, especially for those who may sometimes feel weary of conforming to societal expectations and the demands of order.

A movie that delves into the explosive circumstances of a Syrian refugee camp situated near Berlin’s borders”

“An intense film centered around the tumultuous life in a Syrian refugee camp on the outskirts of Berlin”

As for “TrepaNation
Proxima Competition section”, it seems like there may be a mistake or missing information. If “TrepaNation” is the title of the film, it should be in quotation marks and followed by a period. The “Proxima Competition section” refers to the category or competition in which the movie will be screened at a film festival, such as “In Competition”, “Out of Competition”, etc. Here’s an example:

“TrepaNation, a film about a Syrian refugee camp on Berlin’s outskirts, is part of the Proxima Competition section.

A co-production between Syria, Germany, and France, titled “Ammar al-Beik’s Film,” is one of the longest movies at this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, spanning 222 minutes. This film is expected to spark discussion, as suggested by its synopsis.

Set in Germany, September 2014, the story unfolds around a Syrian refugee camp on the outskirts of Berlin. Ammar al-Beik, a visual artist and filmmaker, is assigned a cubicle for seven months. To survive, he must film, document, and challenge both the circumstances of life in exile and the conventional rules of documentaries and features. His phone camera is always on, transforming his small room and the entire dismal compound into a self-governed universe.

The final product, Ammar’s explosive film, is the culmination of ten years of editing. It interweaves his personal journey with the history of Europe and the Middle East, as well as the history of cinema.

Notably, Al-Beik was not only the director but also responsible for cinematography, sound, editing, and art direction. However, his story is not unique; it resonates with many others. The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival website describes the film as follows: “The unique cinematic style is complemented by memorable characters who, like exiled Ammar al-Beik, are merely seeking freedom and truth.

Attention: Blending In! Gaming now assumes the role of a participant:
Cinematic Trailer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – Special Showings
Featured Screenings section

A renowned role-playing video game created by Warhorse Studios in Prague is set to premiere as a film tailored for the Karlovy Vary festival. According to the KVIFF website, this unique production delivers an impactful viewing experience, appealing not only to enthusiasts of the cult computer game but also to those who are yet to explore its fascinating universe.

Daniel Vávra and Petr Pekař are recognized as the directors of the film, which is bridging the gap between festivals and gaming. Artistic director Karel Och describes it as an “extraordinarily innovative addition to our long-standing ambition of showcasing compelling and emotionally intense narratives in a distinctive way.

In the year 1403, the Bohemian Kingdom is in turmoil as roaming marauders instill fear and terror across a realm without a clear ruler. Henry from Skalitz embarks on a quest for vengeance following his parents’ brutal murders. As an ally of the true king, he is assigned to accompany Sir Hans Capon on a diplomatic mission. However, their journey takes a dark turn as they are viciously attacked. Subsequently, Henry and Hans find themselves in a series of perilous adventures that challenge not only their survival but also their friendship.”

“Amidst this chaos, a forbidden love story unfolds between two individuals – don’t call me ‘Mama,’ as I am on my own journey to uncover the truth about my past. In a competition called Crystal Global, I share my tale of resilience and the unbreakable bond that keeps Henry and Hans together amidst their harrowing adventures.

Despite being let down by her husband, who is the town’s mayor, Eva remains committed to backing his re-election bid. In light of this, she decides to dedicate her time volunteering at a nearby refugee shelter.

However, Nina Knag’s film from Norway presents a more complex predicament. Notably, Eva develops a strong bond with 18-year-old refugee Amir, captivated by his gift for poetry. The movie’s summary continues, stating that as their relationship deepens, Eva finds herself losing grip on the circumstances surrounding them.

Nina Knag’s film from Norway poses a tougher conundrum. It revolves around the character Eva, who forms a close connection with 18-year-old refugee Amir due to his poetic abilities. The movie summary reveals that as their bond strengthens, Eva struggles to maintain control over the situation they’re in.

The film, titled “Don’t Call Me Mama,” seems to suggest a strong possibility of fireworks. To put it in the words of KVIFF, this drama about forbidden love presents its characters with a moral dilemma while delving into the intricate ways hypocrisy can disguise itself as kindness.

The movie, “Don’t Call Me Mama,” may lead to some exciting events. In KVIFF’s own words, this film is a drama about forbidden love that challenges its characters with ethical questions while exploring how hypocrisy can appear as kindness in disguise.

The Wim Wenders-Inspired Czech Movie Venture

Or simply:

The Czech Movie Endeavor

If you’re interested in a unique blend of nostalgia and local flavor, or curious about how the works of Wim Wenders continue to inspire Czech artists, then this project could be right up your alley. The synopsis for KVIFF mentions that in 1982, Wim Wenders gathered his fellow filmmakers in a hotel room at Cannes for a documentary titled “Room 666,” discussing the future of cinema. Two Czech producers were inspired by this and collaborated with the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival to replicate the exercise during last year’s festival, inviting around 30 Czech or Czech-based filmmakers from various generations and asking them about what makes Czech cinema distinct.

The outcome of this project will have its world premiere soon. The festival promises an engaging and diverse collection not just of opinions but also of styles and personalities.

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2025-07-02 15:55