Less than two weeks remain until Eastern Europe’s prestigiousKarlovy Vary International Film Festivalkicks off its 2024 iteration, and it appears the stars are bound for the Czech Republic. A stacked lineup of guests and honorees was announced that will appear at the 58th edition of the festival, several of whom will host special screenings and workshops with attendees. Leading the charge is three-time Oscar nomineeViggo Mortensen, who will receive the KVIFF President’s Award during the opening ceremony and share his recent directorial effortThe Dead Don’t Hurtto begin the festivities.
Mortensen is beloved internationally forhis impressive career in cinema, working with acclaimed directors fromDavid CronenbergtoRenny Harlin,Jane Campion,Brian De Palma, and many more while raking in awards from across the globe. He’s best known for his turn as Aragorn inThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy, but his career is varied and now features more efforts behind the camera, beginning with 2020’sFalling. This isn’t his first time being honored by KVIFF in some form, asMatt Ross’sCaptain Fantastic, which featured an acclaimed turn from Mortensen, won the audience award at the festival back in 2016. Joining him in receiving the President’s Award at this year’s festival areMonsieur SpadeandChildren of MenstarClive OwenandRushalum and the MCU’s Baron ZemoDaniel Brühl. Owen’s 2004award-winning romantic dramaCloserwill be screened in his honor during the closing ceremony, while Brühl will share his directorial debutNext Door.
Aerofilms CEOIvo Andrlewas thrilled at the notion of bringing Mortensen’sThe Dead Don’t Hurtto Czech audiences ahead of its wider release in the country. The filmshowcases all the acclaimed actor’s skills, from his screen presence oppositeVicky Kriepsto his eye as a director, writer, and producer, and his ear as a composer. Andrle said of the occasion:
“We are excited to bring a truly unique experience to the Czech audiences this year. On July 4th, we will release in theatres across the country the opening film of Karlovy Vary Film Festival - The Dead Don’t Hurt. Just a few days after the festival’s opening ceremony that traditionally attracts maximum media attention. We believe that many film lovers in our territory will enjoy the proposition of watching such a great and spotlighted film on their local screens and experience a piece of the festival’s best content on their own.”
Steven Soderbergh, Nicole Holofcener, Michel Franco, and More to Appear at KVIFF
As announced withthe official film selections last month, KVIFF 2024 will accompany its celebrations of Eastern European cinema with a retrospective of legendary authorFranz Kafka. Several films relating to his work and life will be screened at the festival, includingSteven Soderbergh’s biopic/mystery thrillerKafkaas well as his re-edited and vastly different versionMr. Kneff. However, attendees will get a rare treat as the Oscar winner is confirmed to attend in person for both screenings as part of the retrospective. He’ll be joined in the Czech Republic by another Academy Award nominee,Nicole Holofcener, who will take part in a tribute to her award-winning career by introducing three of her best features, including 2010’sPlease Give, 2013’sEnough Said, andlast year’sYou Hurt My Feelings.
Rounding out the list of guests is a handful of filmmakers attending to share their latest features, includingMichel Franco, Juho Kuosmanen, Sergei Loznitsa, Rúnar Rúnarsson, Daniele Luchetti, andTi West. Additionally, Franco will serve as the mentor for a master class included in KVIFF’s Future Frames program for emerging artists. The event also announced thatBenicio Del Torowill be the star of this year’spromotional trailer for the festivalwhich will be unveiled at the opening ceremony. Karlovy Vary will open with a bang, as the trailer and screening ofThe Dead Don’t Hurtwill also be accompanied by a concert featuring the British bandKosheenand the Czech Republic’s Eurovision entrantAikothat will be free for the public. Finally, attendees can expect to see a unique exhibition at this year’s festival, as Czech-Slovak photographerTono Stanoshares his collection of shots capturing the many stars who have appeared at the event over the years.
Everything kicks off for the KVIFF on June 28 and runs through July 6. More information about the festival isavailable on its official website.
The Dead Don’t Hurt
Set in the 1860s, the fiercely independent French Canadian Vivienne Le Coudy embarks on a relationship with Danish immigrant Holger Olsen.
