Jirí Bartoska, Czech Actor and Longtime Karlovy Vary Film Festival President, Dies at 78

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I, a well-known figure in the Czech theater, TV, and film scene before the Velvet Revolution, had the honor of safeguarding the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and being its leader for many years. Today, at the age of 78, I took my final bow.

Bartoska passed away in Prague after a prolonged fight against lung cancer, as confirmed by Krystof Mucha to The Hollywood Reporter.

Bartoska was born on March 24, 1947, which coincided with the first Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, in Decín, Czechoslovakia. Upon completing high school, he decided to delve into a theater career and joined the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno. It was during his studies there that the Soviet occupation of the country commenced in 1968.

At Janacek, Bartoska frequently traveled to Karlovy Vary, an enchanting spa town in Bohemia (or Carlsbad as it is known in German), about 70 miles from Prague. One trip brought him the opportunity to be cast by director Frantisek Vlácil for a movie that ignited his cinematic journey: “Shadows of a Hot Summer,” which eventually won the prestigious Crystal Globe at KVIFF in 1978.

In the 1980s, Bartoska gained widespread fame across Czechoslovakia by appearing on popular TV shows such as Sanitka, Cirkus Humberto, and My Vsichni Skolou Povinní. Since there was only one television network and magazine in the country at that time, being showcased on either platform brought about significant stardom for him, as he managed to be featured on both.

In addition, he forged a strong bond with actor Vaclav Havel, who later served as the final president of Czechoslovakia (1989-1992) and subsequently the first president of the Czech Republic (1993-2003). The friendship between Bartoska and Havel was crucial during the difficult period when KVIFF faced financial struggles.

The KVIFF (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival) was established in 1946, making it one of the earliest film festivals in Europe alongside Cannes and Locarno, both launched the same year. This festival began its journey post World War II, two years prior to the Soviet-backed communist takeover of Czechoslovakia. Notably, the Venice Film Festival was the only European film festival that existed before 1946, as it was founded in 1932. The initial name for this festival was the Czechoslovak Film Festival, and its first event took place in Mariánské Lázne. Subsequently, it was held in both Mariánské Lázne and Karlovy Vary before finally settling as an annual event only in Karlovy Vary.

By 1956, it had established itself and was recognized as a “A-category” event, equivalent to Cannes, by the International Federation of Producers Associations. However, from 1959 onwards, this organization required it to take turns annually with the Moscow International Film Festival. This festival has consistently attracted prominent personalities from global cinema, including Frank Capra, Henry Fonda, Tony Curtis, Claudia Cardinale, and Bernardo Bertolucci. Yet, it was accessible only to residents of Karlovy Vary and film industry professionals, often finding it difficult to generate profit.

In 1993, the Czech Republic’s government stopped funding numerous cultural events, stating they should stand on their own financially. This led many to believe that the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) might cease to exist. However, due to public outrage, the Ministry of Culture assembled a group of prominent citizens to find a solution. Later on, Bartoska remembered being approached by Igor Sevcik from the Ministry of Culture, as well as others who aimed to restore KVIFF’s financial stability and reputation.

Bartoska and film veteran Eva Zaoralová collaborated with the Ministry of Culture, Karlovy Vary city, and the renowned Grand Hotel Pupp (which later inspired Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel) to form the Karlovy Vary Film Festival Foundation. Their combined efforts played a significant role in launching the festival in 1994, with 70% of its funding coming from private donors, including a young Leonardo DiCaprio who attended that year. The aim was to transform this event into an annual tradition.

1995 marked the point where Bartoska assumed the presidency, while Zaoralová took up the role of program director (a position she maintained until her passing in 2022). However, that year brought a fresh, potentially fatal challenge for the festival: The International Federation of Producers Associations, upon learning about KVIFF’s financial difficulties, rescinded its A-category status and bestowed it instead on Golden Golem, a new festival launching that year in Prague, which took place two weeks prior to KVIFF, with Meryl Streep in attendance.

It became apparent that the Czech Republic could not support two significant film festivals simultaneously, and people eagerly awaited the decision regarding which one would continue. At this critical juncture, the friendship between Bartoska and Havel proved vital. Havel chose not to attend the festival in Prague but made an appearance on the opening night of KVIFF instead. “That was the turning point,” Mucha reminisces. Two years later, the Golden Golem had ceased to exist, and KVIFF entered a new era of prosperity.

For many years now, this festival has earned the nickname “Woodstock of the East,” attracting throngs of Czech citizens who pitch their tents alongside the River Teplá. They eagerly wait for hours to watch foreign movies like “Trainspotting” or to appreciate local productions, as well as catching a glimpse of the honorees.

Bartoska stepped into the limelight as the representative of the festival (while Zaoralová chose to stay out of the spotlight), notably for high-profile attendees such as Robert Redford in 2005, Robert De Niro in 2008, John Travolta in 2013, Mel Gibson in 2014, Julianne Moore in 2019, Michael Caine in 2021, Russell Crowe in 2023, and Clive Owen in 2024. Upon their arrival at the Pupp, he welcomed them, celebrated with them at formal dinners, and presented them with their awards during the festival’s black-tie opening and closing ceremonies. In recent times, he has been greeted with standing ovations of the same magnitude as these esteemed guests.

19 years following the triumph of “Shadows of a Hot Summer” at KVIFF, earning Bartoska recognition, he honored director Vlácil with a special award in 1998 for his exceptional impact on world cinema. As Bartoska expressed later, “For me, it was like completing a circle.” (Regrettably, Vlácil passed away just a few months afterward.)

Bartoska’s acting career reached new heights in 2000 when he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Czech Lion Awards, our nation’s equivalent of the Oscars, for his role in All My Loved Ones. However, in November 2014, at the age of 67, Bartoska was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Speaking to Vunela, he shared: “I had been working on the series Ja, Mattoni for approximately 10 days. Suddenly, I didn’t feel well, so I visited a doctor for a check-up. An X-ray examination revealed cancer.” Since then, his cancer has been treated, but it has unfortunately returned.

Bartoska consistently participated in KVIFF, yet he moved away from daily responsibilities. In 2017, during the Czech Lion Awards, an honorary award for exceptional contributions to Czech cinema was bestowed upon him. Czech President Petr Pavel honored him with the Medal for Merit 1st degree in 2023. And in March, one of his last public appearances was at the Czech Lion Awards.

In my world, I’m lucky to be accompanied by my beloved wife, Andrea, who I tied the knot with way back in 1976, and our two amazing kids, Katerina and Janek. They are my surviving family, my pillars of strength, even beyond the virtual realms where we often find ourselves immersed together.

The 59th edition of KVIFF will take place July 4-12.

Back in 1997, I first crossed paths with Bartoska, and by 2004, I was part of his team at the fest. Now, speaking on behalf of my fellow collaborator Karel Och, I share our profound sorrow over his passing. He was an exceptional individual who addressed everyone – from the nation’s president to a festival driver – with equal warmth and respect. Above all, he was a dear friend. As the festival president, Bartoska leaves a void that simply can’t be filled; we will strive to carry on in a manner that honors his vision.

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2025-05-08 21:55