Less than two weeks stay till Eastern Europe’s prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival kicks off its 2024 iteration, and it seems the stars are bound for the Czech Republic. A stacked lineup of guests and honorees was announced that will seem at the 58th edition of the festival, numerous of whom will host particular screenings and workshops with attendees. Leading the charge is 3-time Oscar nominee Viggo Mortensen, who will get the KVIFF President’s Award in the course of the opening ceremony and share his current directorial work The Dead Don’t Hurt to commence the festivities.

Mortensen is beloved internationally for his impressive profession in cinema, operating with acclaimed directors from David Cronenberg to Renny Harlin, Jane Campion, Brian De Palma, and several far more though raking in awards from across the globe. He’s ideal identified for his turn as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but his profession is varied and now attributes far more efforts behind the camera, starting with 2020’s Falling. This is not his initially time becoming honored by KVIFF in some type, as Matt Ross‘s Captain Fantastic, which featured an acclaimed turn from Mortensen, won the audience award at the festival back in 2016. Joining him in getting the President’s Award at this year’s festival are Monsieur Spade and Children of Men star Clive Owen and Rush alum and the MCU’s Baron Zemo Daniel Brühl. Owen’s 2004 award-winning romantic drama Closer will be screened in his honor in the course of the closing ceremony, though Brühl will share his directorial debut Next Door.

Aerofilms CEO Ivo Andrle was thrilled at the notion of bringing Mortensen’s The Dead Don’t Hurt to Czech audiences ahead of its wider release in the nation. The film showcases all the acclaimed actor’s expertise, from his screen presence opposite Vicky Krieps to his eye as a director, writer, and producer, and his ear as a composer. Andrle mentioned 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 with the official film selections final month, KVIFF 2024 will accompany its celebrations of Eastern European cinema with a retrospective of legendary author Franz Kafka. Several films relating to his operate and life will be screened at the festival, such as Steven Soderbergh‘s biopic/mystery thriller Kafka as effectively as his re-edited and vastly unique version Mr. Kneff. However, attendees will get a uncommon treat as the Oscar winner is confirmed to attend in particular person for each screenings as element of the retrospective. He’ll be joined in the Czech Republic by a further Academy Award nominee, Nicole Holofcener, who will take element in a tribute to her award-winning profession by introducing 3 of her ideal attributes, such as 2010’s Please Give, 2013’s Enough Said, and final year’s You Hurt My Feelings.

Rounding out the list of guests is a handful of filmmakers attending to share their most up-to-date attributes, such as Michel Franco, Juho Kuosmanen, Sergei Loznitsa, Rúnar Rúnarsson, Daniele Luchetti, and Ti West. Additionally, Franco will serve as the mentor for a master class incorporated in KVIFF’s Future Frames system for emerging artists. The occasion also announced that Benicio Del Toro will be the star of this year’s promotional trailer for the festival which will be unveiled at the opening ceremony. Karlovy Vary will open with a bang, as the trailer and screening of The Dead Don’t Hurt will also be accompanied by a concert featuring the British band Kosheen and the Czech Republic’s Eurovision entrant Aiko that will be totally free for the public. Finally, attendees can count on to see a special exhibition at this year’s festival, as Czech-Slovak photographer Tono Stano shares his collection of shots capturing the several stars who have appeared at the occasion more than the years.

Everything kicks off for the KVIFF on June 28 and runs by means of July 6. More data about the festival is out there on its official web site.

The Dead Don’t Hurt (2023)

Set in the 1860s, the fiercely independent French Canadian Vivienne Le Coudy embarks on a connection with Danish immigrant Holger Olsen.

Release Date

May 31, 2024

Director

Viggo Mortensen

Runtime

129 Minutes

Main Genre

Drama