The president of this year’s jury at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival is legendary Czech new wave director Ivan Passer.
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Boating along the Vltava river in Prague ... solo with films like ‘Intimate Lighting’ and ‘A Boring Afternoon’, has accepted the prestigious post and returned to the Czech Republic some 40 years after emigrating to the United States.
Rosie Johnston met Ivan Passer, and asked him how it felt to be back:
“Oh, it’s lots of fun, because I am meeting my old friends and my schoolmates and also people from other countries whom I have admired as filmmakers – they are here now, people like Rita Tushingham and Brenda [Blethyn] who’s also on the jury. But you know, since the revolution, I make a point of coming here at least once or twice a year.”
Did you come to Karlovy Vary in the past when you yourself were making films up at Barrandov?
“Yes and you know, it’s like all of the cities in the Czech Republic, Karlovy Vary is becoming more colourful, more international. So I, superficially, because I don’t have too much time, I’m thinking that it is more and more beautiful to the point that I am even thinking of coming back here on my own.”
The rumour is that the jury this year is getting on really well, and that you have seen about six of the films in the competition so far, can you tell me a bit about relations inside the jury and what sort of things you have been saying about the films?
“Yes, we really do get along very well, and it is a pleasure. The films are interesting and it always surprises me how different two people’s opinions can be about the one film. And that is what I see now on the jury.”
You were saying that you like it so much here that you might consider coming back, have you ever considered coming back and shooting a film at Barrandov, which is what a lot of big Hollywood directors are doing right now?
“Yes, I would do it gladly if the right opportunity presented itself. But in fact, generally speaking, I would love to do another Czech film.”
(radio-Prague)
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