Febiofest 2011

Among Prague's dazzling array of annual film festivals, Febiofest is arguably the only one that caters to all tastes and ages.

Now in its 18th year, Febiofest International Film Festival will screen 190 films between March 24 and April 1. The diverse categories of the festival will encapsulate the best of contemporary cinema from across the globe, with categories like the Hollywood segment "Made in USA" running alongside panoramas of Latin America, Asia and world cinema. Lovers of film oldies won't be disappointed either; there will be a collection of retrospective tributes for filmmakers Fridrik Thór Fridriksson, Rafi Pitts, Edward Lachman, Peter Mullan, Semih Kaplanoglu, Olivier Assayas and Peter Weir.

"Febiofest is not just for Czech citizens; it's for expats as well. In fact, there's something for everyone," Febiofest spokesman Pavel Sladký tells The Prague Post.

The festival's jury for the New Europe Competition, meanwhile, couldn't be further from the industry-insider voting system of the Academy Awards. A true representation of Czech cinemagoers, members of the general public were invited earlier this year to apply for a position on the 33-member panel.

"There will only be a maximum of one or two from within the film industry," Sladký says. "It's a real sociological mix; college-educated, noncollege, young people, older people - we had an 85-year-old lady on the panel last year."

In addition to the panoply of international films, the "Over to Barrandov!" section will celebrate 80 years of the Prague film studios, screening the vintage films that established its reputation. The 1933 picture Vražda v Ostrovní ulici (Murder on Ostrovní Street), for example, was the first feature-length to be recorded at Barrandov.

Febiofest doesn't stop at just films; a dedicated musical festival runs alongside the screenings, with a line-up just as eclectic. Expect to hear everything from "banjo punk future jazz" from Poletíme, to Závodní ovce's "funk folk rock rap pop blues."

Eccentric band Eggnoise will be gracing the festival stage for the second year in a row. The eight-strong outfit, who were bequeathed their peculiar name by an erstwhile guitar player, will treat audiences to their brand of catchy trumpet-laden pop.

"People sometimes say that parts of our music are like film soundtracks," says Eggnoise front man Ondřej Galuška.

Galuška is fascinated with the relationship between images and music, and as far as great soundtracks are concerned, one that springs to his mind is that of American Beauty.

"For me, it really stands out as one that inspired a whole new strand of soundtracks," he says.

Galuška and his bandmate Ondřej Kopička are also involved in writing Czech subtitles for some of Febiofest's English-speaking films.

"I would definitely recommend Never Let Me Go," says Galuška, referring to the acclaimed British film starring Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield.

Proving its dedication to reaching the masses, Febiofest's "Regional echoes" will see selected films travel to eight more cities across the country: Brno, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Olomouc, Liberec, Ostrava, Pardubice and Plzeň.

The majority of films at Febiofest will be English-language or with English subtitles. Those that are not will be flagged by the organizers.

Film categories

Over to Barrandov! Eighty years on, the famous studio is still going strong. Barrandov recently rented its stages out to blockbusters The Chronicles of Narnia and Casino Royale, but Febiofest will focus on the Czech classics that established the studio's reputation.

Tribute to Fridrik Thór Fridriksson The Icelandic director founded his country's most important production company, the Icelandic Film Corporation. Showing at Febiofest will be the semi-autobiopic Moviedays, and the director's most recent effort, a tribute to his own mother and critique of the Icelandic film industry, Mamma Gógó.

Made in USA An opportunity to catch the latest from Hollywood, including Zack Snyder's raunchy mental institution breakout Sucker Punch and Sofia Coppola's latest, Somewhere, in which a jaded film star is forced to re-evaluate his life with help from his daughter. Academy Award-winning documentary Inside Job, meanwhile, attempts to unravel the complex issues that triggered the global finance crisis.

Swedish Film Yesterday and Today Lesser-known films of the legendary Ingmar Berman, such as It Rains on Our Love get their chance in the spotlight, while Vilgot Sjöman's I Am Curious Yellow from 1967 is one of two experimental films based on the colors of the Swedish flag.

New Europe Competition Promising filmmakers from across Belgium, Turkey, Bulgaria, Germany and more will compete to win the hearts of the Febiofest jury.

Febiofest Juniors Something for everyone, indeed. Younger filmgoers can revel in recent big-screen hits, including Toy Story 3, Yogi Bear and Tangled. 

Will Noble can be reached at
wnoble@praguepost.com