The 42nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival started today and runs through July 7. It is one of the most prestigious international film festivals in Europe and is classified as a “Category A” festival, which puts it in the same class as festivals in cities such as Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Tokyo. The festival presents over 220 feature films and up to 40 short films from around the world each year.
Danny DeVito will be receiving the Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema on the closing day of the festival.
I was out at 7:45 this morning (which is very early for me) and was rewarded by being able to experience the festive atmosphere of the day. Today was the last day of school in the Czech Republic. Little kids, older children and teenagers, alone or in groups, headed to school all dressed up. Instead of schoolbags, many of them carried flowers to give to their teachers. I remember how much I used to love the last day of school, which marked the beginning of a carefree, two-month summer break. I still get excited just imagining how it used to feel.
I was at a bank yesterday and overheard a conversation between a very bored looking teenager and his upbeat mother. The mother was making all kinds of plans for the summer and talked about all the fun stuff that her son and his brothers can look forward to – summer camp, visits with relatives, camping, traveling around the Czech Republic (“you can even bring your friend along”)… All the boy had to say was: “Stupid summer break”. I couldn’t believe my ears. What’s not to love about summer break??
