Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

It doesn't have the sun-drenched beaches of Cannes, nor the suave entrance-by-gondola of Venice, yet Karlovy Vary is still one of the world's most esteemed film festivals, a claim proven by a quick glance at this year's star-studded guest list. Dame Judi Dench and John Turturro will both collect awards, while John Malkovich returns to the festival after visiting back in 2009.

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, now in its 46th year, is a celebration of the best international films created in the past 12 months. Of the 179 features showing, most have not screened at any other festival, and some are even world premieres, including Somewhere Tonight. This film, which features John Turturro (The Big Lebowski, Transformers trilogy) will be introduced by the Italian-American actor, who will also pick up the Festival President's Award.

Another star presenting a new film and accepting an accolade (the Crystal Globe Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema) is Dench (James Bond, Notes on a Scandal), who plays Mrs. Fairfax in period Brit-adaptation Jane Eyre, due for release here later in the summer.

Malkovich - who claimed Karlovy Vary's Crystal Globe two years ago - will capitalize on the festival as an opportunity to showcase his latest project; the star's clothing range "Technobohemian" will be modeled by Czech actors. Although this fashion show would appear to have little to do with film, Malkovich has insisted his self-designed collection draws inspiration from cinema.

In addition to the lure of its A-lister line up and the beauty of its spa town setting, Karlovy Vary is also a vital platform for emerging filmmakers, and an auditorium for avid cinema fans, who have the chance to see big films of the future before anyone else.

"It is not only the specific location that makes a number of guests return, but also the relaxed atmosphere as well as smooth organization," festival spokesman Viktor Palak tells The Prague Post. "And of course the programming, which balances the latest films by art-house masters with debuts by young filmmakers from all over the world."

Still, the Hollywood elite are likely to be the focus of Karlovy Vary. Celebs are no stranger to the festival, which can namedrop among its previous guests Elijah Wood, Gus Van Sant, Morgan Freeman and Robert Redford. That's not to say, however, that film stars are exploited to boost the event's profile.

"[Big names] naturally do bring glamour to Karlovy Vary, but we do not invite our guests just to do this," says Palak. "In the first place, they come to present their work."

Film Highlights

Almanya Yasemin Samdereli's clever comic piece about multiple generations of a German-Turkish clan derives its broad humor from cultural misunderstandings and the question of what constitutes national identity. July 4 at 3:30, Small Hall; July 6 at 10 a.m., Drahomíra Cinema

Attack the Block UK. Joe Cornish, director. Disc jockey and writer on the upcoming Tintin movie Joe Cornish envisages what would happen if aliens tried to invade a council estate in South London. July 5 at midnight, Čas Cinema; July 7 at 10:30 a.m., Grand Hall

The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye USA, France. Marie Losier, director. Palak's choice from the festival's selection of music-based films. An exploration into Throbbing Gristle's Genesis P-Orridge and the body modifying experiment that ultimately killed his wife. July 2 at 10, July 3 at 1, July 5 at 7, all at Husovka Theater  

Cigán (Gypsy) Slovakia. Martin Šulík, director. Slovak film about a young Roma boy who assumes the role as head of the family after his father's death, only to have the position snatched from him. July 5 at 8, Grand Hall; July 6 at 10 a.m., Espace Dorleans Cinema

Jane Eyre UK. Cary Fukunaga, director. Judi Dench stars in Cary Fukunaga's adaptation of the novel, and will introduce the first screening in person. July 1 at 7, Grand Hall (Opening/invitation only); July 1 at 11, Open Air Cinema (free entry)

Jeż Jerzy (George the Hedgehog) Poland. Tomasz Lesnick, director. Satirical animated film from Poland, about a hedgehog whose life is blighted by a mad scientist who wants to clone him. July 2 at 5, Karlovy Vary Theater; July 3 at 7:30, Lázně III

Největší z Čechů (The Greatest Czechs) ČR. Robert Sedláček, director. Affectionately sarcastic commentary on the current trend of attention seekers who possess varying levels of genuine talent. July 2 at 7:30, Lázně III; July 5 at 7, Congress Hall; July 7 at 10 a.m., Husovka Theater

Somewhere Tonight USA. Michael Di Jiucomo, director. This year's festival president John Turturro, along with wife and co-star Katherine Borowitz, will present the film, which tells the story of two lonely people who meet over a phone-sex line. July 8 at 5, Grand Hall; July 9 at 12:30, Čas Cinema

The majority of films at the festival are English-language or subtitled in English. Rare exceptions will be flagged.

More on the blogs: See The Cine File at Blogs.praguepost.com for on-location updates from the festival

Will Noble can be reached at
wnoble@praguepost.com