Karlovy Vary is a spa town situated two hours west of Prague in what is known as the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Originally founded almost 700 years ago this is, for much of the year, a destination place for those seeking physical wellness. Two rivers run through this town that sits atop 13 hot springs, which produce restorative waters to quench the thirst of the wellness seekers.
For nine glorious days every July this city hosts the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF). This year I was fortunate to be able to serve on the Ecumenical Jury for this 44th edition of the fest.
The KVIFF has been in existence since 1948 but for many years (1959-1993) the festival occurred only every other year as it alternated hosting responsibilities with the Moscow International Film Festival. Since 1994 the festival has taken place each and every year in Karlovy Vary. This was the 16th consecutive year for our Ecumenical prize.
Our Ecumenical Jury consisted of six members, three from SIGNIS (Catholic) and three from INTERFILM (Protestant). We viewed the main competition films through a critical lens based upon a variety of criteria including universal impact, artistic quality, Gospel message, Christian responsibility, and inventive expression.
This festival is one of the main cultural events of the year for the citizens of the Czech Republic. It is attended by a vast number of important political figures (President Vaclav Klaus, former President Vaclav Havel, Minister of Defense Vlasta Parkanova, Prime Minister Jan Fischer, Minister of Culture Vaclav Riedlbauch, and many others) and is well represented by members of the Czech artistic community as well.
More than 130,000 movie tickets were sold this year to more than 420 individual screenings.
The citizens and community certainly support this event as evidenced by the vast number of young film aficionados camped out among the surrounding parks who weren’t able to find a vacant hotel room. This abundance of youth lends a special energy to this festival unlike other European festivals such as Berlin, Venice, or Cannes, which are more business-oriented. In this regard Karlovy Vary is more akin to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
This festival tends to focus on new films from filmmakers in Central and Eastern Europe. This year’s official competition slate was comprised of 14 films representing Denmark, Hungary, Italy, U.S., Russia, Germany, Slovak Republic, France, Iran, Poland, Belgium, South Korea, Mexico, and a Croatian/Serbian co-production.
I have to admit that my overall artistic impression of this year’s competition films is that these were mostly stories of loneliness, alienation, abandonment, and hopelessness. Respecting the fact that art often reflects life this paints a broadly bleak picture of daily life in these countries. Perhaps it is commentary on the shattered illusion of a more prosperous and hopeful future in a post-Communist era. Perhaps it reflects a dwindling interpersonal connection between human beings, as communication is increasingly electronic and distant in nature.
Three of the films in this year’s competition involved the emotional and physical repercussions stemming from child abandonment. There was seen in the Russian film (Wolfy) concerning a child yearning for the love of her irresponsible, alcoholic mother, a Belgian film (Angel at Sea) about a boy who tries to rescue his manic depressive father from suicide, and a Danish film (Applause) about an alcoholic mother recently released from rehab who desperately tries to regain the love of her boys lost in a custody battle with her ex-husband.
The themes of isolation and loneliness were prevalent in a good many films as represented by the geographical isolation in the South Korean film (Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells) about a man bringing tragic news to a family in Nepal, emotional isolation in the French film (Villa Amalia) about a woman seeking to jettison her past and begin anew, and a Mexican film (Black Sheep) set in the harsh and barren landscape of rural Mexico. And finally, the Slovakian film (Soul at Peace), which follows a man, recently released from prison, trying to rebuild his life with little success.
Several films exhibited the alienation and hopelessness brought about by alcohol and drug addiction and/or sex trafficking. The Polish film (Piggies) was nearly a documentary in its exactness of life for certain teenagers in a Polish/German border town. The Hungarian film (I Am Not Your Friend) exposed the detrimental effects of not being in a monogamous relationship. The Croatian/Serbian production (Will Not Stop There) has at its core the rescue of a once important woman from her tragic decline into the porn industry, and finally the German film (Whiskey and Vodka), which focuses on a film production where the main actor is on the brink of losing his job due to alcohol abuse.
Keeping in mind that our jury had a specific lens with which to view these films there was a long and productive debate as we first narrowed our choices for the Ecumenical prize to two films and then to one.
This year’s Ecumenical Prize was awarded to the Iranian film “Bist” (“Twenty”). It is the tale of Soleimani, an emotionally detached owner of a restaurant/reception hall, and his employees as they deal with the news that the reception hall is to be sold in twenty days.
The restaurant has historically been used for both wedding celebrations and for family mournings, however, the business has only served mournings lately and this has contributed to Soleimani’s illness and desire to sell the business.
In the beginning of the story we see him as a man who avoids human interaction. During the course of the film Soleimani slowly transforms into a more caring individual as he realizes the importance of his business to his employees’ livelihood as they have come together like a true family. Soleimani provides ever-increasing tokens of generosity to several of his employees before his health fails him.
This is a story depicting the quiet strength of human character and conveys with clarity how it’s never too late to change. This is a story of hope, perseverance, and human kindness.
A worthy choice.
