Art Film Fest welcomes Sir Ben Kingsley

The star of the 20th Art Film Fest, Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley, has arrived in Trenčianske Teplice. His visit, sure to go down in the festival’s history, began on Thursday evening, and this afternoon he personally gave a master class where he presented his own perspectives on the art of acting.

Introduced by Art Film Fest’s director Peter Nágel, Sir Ben came prepared to share his thoughts and views, with no need for notes or a formal lecture. He began by asking why we wear masks and why actors are so often shocked by the filming process. In his opinion, the reasons are rooted in the past. When we still lived in tribes. After dusk, no one knew if the sun would rise again. And who led the tribe through the night? The storyteller. He was a healer. He was a shaman. He was a priest. He gave them hope that the sun would rise again. Kingley said he was there to explain his role in the tribe. To explain why we need stories.

Today at 4 pm at Trenčianske Teplice’s Cinema Tent, Sir Ben will personally introduce his film Sexy Beast, where he portrays Don, a sociopathic gangster. His former accomplice Gary has thrown in the towel, but Don is determined to make him accept a new job by any means necessary. Kingsley’s portrayal earned him a European Film Award, a British Independent Film Award and nominations for an Oscar and a Golden Globe. “Kingsley creates an unforgettable monster," wrote the influential magazine Rolling Stone.

On Saturday at 3 pm, the extraordinary performer will accept the Actor’s Mission Award in Trenčianske Teplice’s Festival Park, where he will place a brass plaque bearing his own name. At 4 pm he will meet festival visitors to introduce the film Hugo at the Cinema Tent in Trenčianske Teplice. The acclaimed collaboration with director Martin Scorsese received the most Oscars of any film at this year’s Academy Awards, winning five of eleven nominations. From one of the most illustrious directors of our time, the picture is a tale of friendship, discovery of the old and new, and love of film.
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Art Film Fest 2012 – the 20th International Trenčianske Teplice/Trenčín Film Festival
The festival is held under the auspices of Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico.

Organizers: ART FILM, n.o., FORZA, a.s.

Co-organizers: The Town of Trenčianske Teplice, the City of Trenčín, Kúpele Trenčianske Teplice
Financial Support: The Audiovisual Fund

General Sponsors: KOOPERATIVA poisťovňa Vienna Insurance Group, Privatbanka

Main Sponsors: Omnia Holding SE, Slovnaft, AquaCity Poprad, Hydrotour Travel Agency

Official Transport Provider: Lancia

Logistics Sponsor: DHL
Student cinepasses for only €5 provided by Prvá stavebná sporiteľňa, a. s.

Sponsors: TIPOS, Slovak Telekom, Penzión Baske, Cinemax, Forza CZ, Omnia Motors, Omnia 2000, DOMO Omnia, Omnia KLF

Official Suppliers: značka Moët, Hotel Pax – the festival spa hotel, NAY Elektrodom, Esterle&Esterle, MF team, LampART, Stredná odborná škola polygrafická

Main Media Sponsors: Slovak Radio and Television, Pravda, Rádio FM, zoznam.sk

Media Sponsors: TA 3, TV JOJ, Film Europe Channel, Central Europe Television, Rádio Europa 2, .týždeň, Eurotelevízia, Pardon, OK!, Kinečko, Kam do mesta, Focus, GONG SK, Boomerang Media, SITA News Agency, Pay-Per Vision Media, euroAWK, Bittner-print, moviemania.sk, filmneweurope.com

Partners: The Trenčín Self-governing Region, the European Commission Representation in Slovakia, the Slovak Film Institute, the Embassy of Israel in Slovakia, CzechTourism, Celtima SK, Hotel Flóra, KURSALON, versity, the Bratislava Culture and Information Centre, Hollywood Classic Entertainment, Niagara, Magic Box Slovakia, the Italian Cultural Institute in Bratislava, Istituto Luce – Cinecittá, Character – Film Development Association