I would name a chimney after Bartoška, Marek Eben shocked during the ceremonial opening of the festival in Vary
The first edition of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival without the late Jiří Bartoška was not without a healthy dose of nostalgia. Cigarette smoke continued to roll off the screen to the audience and the atmosphere during the opening ceremony was at times palpable. However, fortunately, what I feared the most did not happen.
The opening ceremony was traditionally hosted by Marek Eben, who we even managed to catch for a moment on the red carpet. However, he only told us a few words because he was in a rush to prepare for the moderating - perhaps the most important of this year. And if not the most important, I probably won't be exaggerating if I say the most emotional. About this, however, I then convinced myself on my own skin and ears.
Even so, we greatly appreciate his approachable gesture, as it's not so common for hosts to provide media interviews in front of their performance, especially at such a majestic event. As you can listen, he didn't want to reveal much about the moderating itself and left us in anticipation - just a seasoned pro, as it should be.
Listen to the interview with Marek Eben below:
(VIDEO)
The festive evening was kicked off by an impressive dance performance with great visual effects and catchy music. And then one of our best presenters confidently stepped onto the stage.
Every person is unique
With these exact words Marek Eben started his opening speech, which was interlaced with thoughts for reflection – as is customary with Marek Eben – and it definitely wasn't a plain "Welcome to the festival".
He continued with another thoughtful statement - that nothing will ever stay the same. At this point, it was clear to all the spectators present - personalities of Czech show business and journalists from all leading Czech media - where his words would continue. Of course, this was clear from the very beginning. Words about the former president of the Film Festival in Karlovy Vary, Jiří Bartoška, thanks to whom many resounding Hollywood names managed to get here and with his help the festival gained international prestige, did not keep himself waiting long.
Marek Eben mentioned that we all leave traces behind us. And by them, we know where a particular person is heading - how beautifully poetic, yet utterly logical and true. He then naturally moved on to commenting on the legacy of Jiří Bartoška.
At that moment it was as if time in the hall stopped for a while - if heaven exists, then Mr. Bartoška must have been sneezing for several minutes in a row. Hopefully, a smoking ban in the interior has not yet reached heaven.
Nostalgia, but without the taste of sorrow
I had one great fear from the festive evening. And I dare say I shared it with a large part of the guests. Perhaps Marek Eben himself had the same fear.
That the evening will fall into the atmosphere of some kind of second funeral of Jiří Bartoška – it will be full of sadness, mournful memories and grieving.
It was clear that the evening could not do without a certain nostalgic line. And when the possible naming of a street in Vary after Jiří Bartoška came into conversation, my fears quickly dissipated.
"I would like it if a chimney were named after him (after Jiří Bartoška, notes. red.) ",
said Marek Eben.
And everyone present started laughing. At that moment it was clear that there would be no mourning today. Instead, nostalgia will be used as a means to pay tribute to Jiří Bartoška, which is rightfully his.
Marek Eben added that he had in mind not just any chimney - but the highest chimney in Karlovy Vary! Which amused everyone present even more.
At that moment, I wasn't entirely sure whether Mr. Eben was serious, and perhaps I wasn't the only one. When he added that he could imagine a painted cigar on the mentioned chimney as a reference to Bartoška's lifelong passion, which eventually cost him his life - I realized that it was just a joke.
Then followed trailers from previous years with famous actors, which once again further relaxed the atmosphere.
This year the award was accepted by actress Vicky Krieps and actor Peter Sarsgaar, who delivered their inspirational acceptance speeches on stage.
However, the emotions were perceptible throughout the entire evening. For instance, when Marek Eben had to read a list of this year's sponsors, his emotion was evident. He managed to handle it again as a complete professional, humorously stating: "I have never been so moved by sponsors."
The words were also taken over by the artistic director of the Karlovy Vary festival Karel Och and the executive director Kryštof Mucha. Both they and Marek Eben then tried to say the infamous sentence that Jiří Bartoška used to say at every ceremonial opening: "We can consider the festival opened". Emotions, however, did not allow any of them to do so.
We Need to Frame This
Like every year, the opening film was subsequently launched. And it was once again about Jiří Bartoška. It could not have been otherwise, and no one was surprised.
It was a documentary entitled We Need to Frame This.
However, the word documentary is perhaps a bit of an overstatement. It was actually a nice and at times funny narration by Jiří Bartoška, who reminisced in front of the camera about various moments of his colorful life. In the film, he also names a number of his colleagues and friends, for example Bolek Polívka, who prepared him for talent auditions during the selection process at JAMU. He also mentioned the moment when doctors diagnosed him with cancer.
Mr. Bartoška, according to the opening word spoken by Marek Eben when introducing the film, faced a proposal to write a book about his life. But he repeatedly refused. And so was created We Have to Frame it, in which he smokes one after another.
A film that brilliantly underscored all the nostalgia of the evening and naturally highlighted the legacy of Jiří Bartoška, who will forever be part of the Film Festival in Karlovy Vary.
Jiří, thank you!
Source: author's text
