On the Fourth of July in the U.S., fireworks are a common occurrence, but the fireworks display over the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary on a Friday night added a joyful finale to the inaugural night of the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), which turned out to be an emotional journey.
The gathering featured stars Peter Sarsgaard and Vicky Krieps, who were recognized during the inaugural event. They discussed political issues concerning a fractured U.S. and global community, shared humor and exclusive insights from behind-the-scenes, all thanks to the opening film, titled “We’ve Got to Frame It! (A Conversation With Jiří Bartoška in July 2021)“. Additionally, heartfelt tributes were given in honor of the long-serving festival president and renowned Czech actor Bartoška, who passed away in May at the age of 78.
Distinguished figures graced the opening night, such as jurors for the main Crystal Globe Competition – Roma producer Nicolás Celis, Fremont director Babak Jalali, Czech artist Jiří Mádl (Waves), Berlin Film Festival selector and film critic Jessica Kiang, and Swedish actress Tuva Novotny.
To keep with convention, the opening ceremony showcased a dance spectacle skillfully arranged by Michal and Simon Cabani. This performance showcased their signature stage dynamism as dancers intertwined among and danced within beams of light, occasionally bouncing off them using mirrors or altering their appearance through color filters. The music transitioned between intense and lively tracks, even incorporating Hans Zimmer’s renowned theme from Interstellar.
A short while later, not a single festival staff member’s eyes remained dry inside the crowded Congress Hall of the Brutalist Thermal Hotel in Karlovy Vary. As host Marek Eben, a well-known Czech actor and TV presenter, paid tribute to Bartoška and his impact, he remarked, “Some people claim that no one is irreplaceable. However, this isn’t always the case.” This statement was translated live.
In addition, Eben maintained that he left an enduring impact on the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. “I can’t recall a moment when he expressed any doubts about its future,” he stated. “What Jiří Bartoška accomplished was something alive and thriving. If things continue as planned, it will outlive us all. And I believe that Jiří would be proud to see it still going strong.
Onstage, both the KVIFF executive director, Kryštof Mucha, and artistic director, Karel Och, showed visible emotions as they publicly thanked their mentor for his guidance and support.
Following the grand opening, the much-anticipated trailer on this year’s festival circuit, masterfully crafted by Ivan Zachariáš, was presented. This heartfelt piece stirred emotions among the audience. The storyline features Bolek Polívka, a longtime companion of Bartoška’s, engrossed in a conversation at a bar with an empty chair opposite him. “Another round won’t hurt, will it?”, he says before ordering two whiskeys. As the camera pans, we see no one is seated across from him, but Polívka appears to be addressing Bartoška, granting him one of his festival awards and a photograph featuring Bartoška with Polívka’s nose peeking in from the side. “Feel free to display it somewhere,” Polívka says.
Following the premiere of Jakub Jurásek’s opening film, audience members were overheard discussing the insights from Bartoška and the behind-the-scenes details and humorous elements in the movie. Earlier in the day, visitors were spotted snapping photos of the 30 large outdoor panels scattered throughout the spa town. These panels showcase 60 black-and-white images of Bartoška, some with celebrity guests, as a tribute to the festival’s significant moments and capturing the distinctive character who ran the Karlovy Vary Festival for three decades, as immortalized by the festival photographers.
As the clock struck 11, it was my turn to shine at the customary open-air concert outside the Thermal Hotel, drawing a throng of fans, festival attendees, and first-night guests to the square. The infectious beats of hits like “Tropical Chancer,” “Otherside,” “In for the Kill,” and the iconic “Bulletproof,” as well as new tunes from La Roux’s upcoming fourth studio album had everyone moving under the night sky. Undeterred by a seemingly injured leg during my dance routine, I continued to captivate the crowd with my performance.

Around 11:45 PM, the moment arrived for the spectacular fireworks display to light up the evening, marking the conclusion of the formal events on the first night.
During the upcoming week, culminating on July 12th, Karlovy Vary will showcase a variety of new arthouse films, including the cinematic version of the popular video game “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II” titled “Cinematic Cut,” alongside quirky finds and notable selections from film festivals across the past year. This event has earned its reputation as Central Europe‘s most significant summer celebration of cinema.
Each year, the trailers for the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, typically revealed during the festival’s grand opening, are eagerly awaited. This year’s trailer is a touching homage to the late long-standing festival president, Jiří Bartoška…
— georgszalai (@georgszalai) July 4, 2025
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2025-07-05 02:55