KVIFF 2024 | The end of the 58th edition of the KV IFF: The focus was on the fear of Bartoška

Although the Karlovy Vary festival is a nice introduction to summer, the weather was not very kind to the last festive evening. The sunny day was interrupted by rain showers and high winds. Staff with umbrellas welcomed the festive guests on the red carpet.

Even so, some of the ladies had minor problems with both gowns and hairstyles. But the tearful start to the evening did not prevent anyone from enjoying the evening. Even Bolek Polívka and his wife arrived with a smile in the rain.

Jiří Bartoška, ​​although he seemed to be enjoying the festival to the fullest, when he arrived at the closing ceremony, he said that not everything was as he imagined. For example, he did not enjoy all kinds of parties and other entertainment very much. The reason is the demanding treatment for cancer, which returned to him last year. On the final gala evening, as is customary, the president of the festival was accompanied by his wife Andrea, who was very pleased with it.

Right at the beginning of the festive evening, images from the life of Jiří Bartoška were recalled, just as it was at the beginning of this year’s festival. The reason is quite simple, Bartoška has been at its head for 30 years and that is a very good reason for commemorating him.

Ivan Trojan received an award from Jiří Bartoška for his outstanding contribution to Czech cinematography. “It is important for me that I receive this from Bartoška, ​​because for me she is God, and I wish you to be here with us as long as possible,” said the actor in his speech, and thus cut a huge bow to his fellow actor, who is at the same time the president of the film festival for 30 years. “According to the sample, you could say that I’m good, but you have to realize that there are only the good things,” joked the popular actor on stage, who was very pleased with the award.

Actor Clive Owen received the festival president’s award from Jiří Bartoška. However, its handing over did not go without a minor hitch, because Bartoška entered the stage too soon and caught the moderator Marko Eben by surprise, who is otherwise usually ready for almost anything. “Time is burning,” Bartoška commented on his early arrival.

Australian actor Geoffrey Rush celebrated his 73rd birthday just yesterday. In addition to receiving the award, he also received a very touching wish in front of a full audience, which also sang him a well-known birthday song. He will surely remember his visit to Karlovy Vary fondly and for a long time, he even shed a tear of emotion…

“58. year of the film festival in Karlovy Vary is coming to an end and see you next year, God willing,” its president Jiří Bartoška said goodbye to those present and to this year’s festival.