Dozens of film fans braved the inclement weather to attend the opening ceremony of the 25th Art Film Fest. An hour before it began, they were already waiting for the guests\u2019 red-carpet arrival at the entrance of the Kunsthalle Ur\u00e1nia. Among the first to appear were festival president Milan Lasica and programme director Peter N\u00e1gel, who proceeded to welcome the arriving guests.<\/p>\n
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Historic first President\u2019s Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The evening\u2019s musical accompaniment came in the form of composer \u013dubica \u010cekovsk\u00e1\u2019s film scores, as a pianist played melodies from Slovak pictures like Cruel Joys<\/em> and Hostage<\/em>, as well as international cult classics. The guests were also treated to a non-traditional, romantic rendition of the local folksong \u201cNa ko\u0161ickej turni dva hol\u00fabky \u0161edza\u201d (Two Doves Sit on the Tower of Ko\u0161ice). For the first time in Art Film Fest\u2019s 25-year history, Milan Lasica presented the Festival President\u2019s Award, to two laureates, no less, the first of which \u2013 M\u00e1ria Kr\u00e1\u013eovi\u010dov\u00e1 \u2013 was taken by surprise. One of Slovakia\u2019s most prominent performers, having recently celebrated her 90th birthday, Kr\u00e1\u013eovi\u010dov\u00e1 was introduced by actor \u013dubom\u00edr Paulovi\u010d, accompanied by a selection of scenes from her films and rounded out by a poem written in her honour. Visibly moved, Mar\u00edna reminisced onstage about the beginnings of her film career: \u201cWhen Pa\u013eo Bielik gave me my first film role 70 years ago \u2013 in Wolves’ Lairs<\/em> \u2013 it was such a small part that if you blinked, you’d miss it.” During the standing ovation that followed, Peter N\u00e1gel officially presented the actress with her award. \u201cFilm is the seventh great power, and I\u2019m so happy to have the opportunity to be here with you today. May this festival live at least as long as I do!\u201d joked Kr\u00e1\u013eovi\u010dov\u00e1.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The second President\u2019s Award was introduced by actress Kamila Mag\u00e1lov\u00e1. \u201cThis man is an actor of European calibre,\u201d she affirmed. The recipient is her favourite onscreen husband \u2013 Czech actor and Karlovy Vary Film Festival president Ji\u0159\u00ed Barto\u0161ka. \u201cSpeeches are the death of all good events, so I will be brief. This is an award from filmmakers, and that makes it a great honour,\u201d said the winner, emphasizing that it was an honour not only for him, but for the entire Karlovy Vary festival team.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A symbolic clapperboard opens Art Film Fest\u2019s 25th edition<\/strong><\/p>\n The evening also featured a preview reel of pictures from the International Competition of Feature Films. As the ceremony came to a close, Milan Lasica and \u013dubica \u010cekovsk\u00e1 introduced their favourite films to be screened in the President’s Choice section this week, such as Casablanca<\/em> and Modern Times<\/em>. The festival was then officially launched with a symbolic clapperboard and Milan Lasica\u2019s words: \u201cMay the festival begin!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the opening ceremony, guests first enjoyed a prelude film from photographer Michal \u0160ebe\u0148a on Serbian director Emir Kusturica, followed by a screening of Kusturica\u2019s latest picture: On the Milky Road<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dozens of film fans braved the inclement weather to attend the opening ceremony of the 25th Art Film Fest. An","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8961,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-press-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n