PHOTO GALLERY: Stars come out at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

This year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is underway, and the opening days saw an array of celebrities signing autographs and walking the red carpet. Many of this year's top stars are already present at the festival, which runs until July 8 in the West Bohemian spa town.

Actor Russell Crowe received the Crystal Globe on June 30 for his outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema and also played a concert with his band Indoor Garden Party.

“Music is very important to me, it’s a deeply creative process that attracted me since childhood. Writing songs is a lot like creating a new character for a new role.” He emphasized that he was strongly impressed by the town. “I don’t know what I expected, but certainly not this fabulously beautiful city with its picturesque architecture. I tell everyone now that they must visit Karlovy Vary.”

Several celebrities appeared on the red carpet outside Hotel Thermal or greeted fans at Grandhotel Pupp. Alicia Vikander received the Festival President’s Award at the opening ceremony, which was followed by a screening of the film Firebrand, in which she appears. She was accompanied by her husband, fellow actor Michael Fassbender (who was not in the film). 

The opening ceremony included a dance performance, and the evening ended with fireworks.

Actor Ewan McGregor on July 1 received the Festival President’s Award from Jiří Bartoška ahead of the screening of You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder. He arrived with his daughter, Clara, who also appears in the film and served as co-writer and producer.

“I was going to do something in Czech but as I was practicing at home, somebody heard it and called for an ambulance – they thought I was having some kind of medical emergency,” McGregor said. He added that acting with his daughter was a highlight of his career.  

Swiss actor Vincent Perez is at the festival to promote his period film The Edge of the Blade. He also directed and co-wrote the drama set in France in 1887. The title refers to an illegal sword duel.

Actress Patricia Clarkson returned to the festival this year to sit on the main jury, which will determine the winners in the competition of international films. She was at the festival in 2019, when she received a Crystal Globe at the closing of that year’s festival.

Other notable figures to appear in the early days of the festival included former first lady Dagmar Havlová, Czech actress Anna Geislerová, and Czech model Pavlína Pořízková.

Mattoni, the festival's partner, entertained visitors with a music program featuring Czech stars such as PSH, Midi Lidi, D.Y.K., Michal Hrůza, Ewa Farna, and many more. The Czech brand celebrates its 150th anniversary this year by launching a new product, Mattoni Extra Sparkling with 150% sparkling strength. Adding her own sparkle to the celebration, model Pavlína Němcová wore a model based on Mattoni's iconic water dress.