ENGLISH SECTION Festival Daily SPECIAL EDITION OF THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH DAILY OF THE 45TH KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Friday, July 2, 2010 free • page 1 ENG Bilingual program KVIFF Horizons open day Official Selection: DIVÁCKÁ CENA / AUDIENCE AWARD for today and tomorrow new vistas a dynamic dozen DENÍKU Vote for the best film of the 45th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival! (Czech Section: pages 6, 7, 8) page 2 1 page 3 page 10 A fairytale start to KVIFF competition Czech Oscar-winner adds a kooky twist to Official Selection
Honza Dědek I The distinctive lead charac- ter – a cute, colorful, old-fash- ioned teddy bear – is Czech director Jan Svěrák is a merchandiser’s dream. Will coming to KVIFF this week with you be cashing in on this with his animation feature Kooky, a range of “Kooky” bears? which is the first film to screen in They will be on the shelves in the Official Selection. This the middle of the summer holi- charming tale of a lost teddy days. Until then, then mums and bear’s odyssey through a forest to grandmas will need to sew them find his six-year-old owner is for their children. I have seen something of a new departure for a few homemade Kookys – their Svěrák, who is perhaps best creators always altered him known to foreign audiences for slightly according to their tastes his Oscar-winning Kolya or the but you can always recognize wartime drama Dark Blue World. Kooky. During an era of material Featuring the voices of Svěrák’s excess, this kind of need is actual- father Zdeněk and his own son ly quite charming. It brings us Ondra, Kooky has been highly back to the beautiful feeling of praised for bravely eschewing longing which can’t be instantly slick CGI effects in favor of old- gratified with money. fashioned hand puppets, while I As a fairytale, Kooky is an relying on a strong storyline and unusual choice for the festival’s clever dialogue to make an Official Selection – what do you impact with audiences. think are its chances of success? Kooky is so weird and hard to I Your new film’s title Kooky, place that there are only two possi- which is the name of the lead bilities – either the jury will think character, has plenty of inter- that something like that doesn’t esting connotations in English. belong in the Official Selection or What does it mean in Czech? they will love it. For me personal- I liked the name because it ly, it’s an honor that such implies looking at the world a prestigious festival should pick around you (“koukat” in Czech Kooky for its official competition. means “to look” – Ed.). Kooky And I’m really looking forward to has big eyes through which we seeing forest creatures frolicking look at the realm of forest crea- on the Grand Hall’s huge screen tures. Besides this, I know a few Photo: Milan Malíček instead of serious actors. people who have a “Kooky” in their house – we still can’t agree Jan Svěrák with the cast of his critically acclaimed teddy-bear epic Kooky. Kooky screens tomorrow on who was the biggest source of (Grand Hall, 5pm) and on July 4 inspiration. I believe it was to the eastern town of Šumperk to express their feelings. Whereas a scene, he ran back to his piano, the film. We were both well (Espace Dorleans, 1pm) I Monika Šplíchalová, one of our retrieve the fluffy toy. And our characters don’t do any of that; put his headphones on and started aware that a film is not just the production staff, whose daughter I realized that I had forgotten that on the contrary, the viewer has to playing. I thought it was good, ten days on the set but mainly NOTICE: The Camera- has a fluffy dog called Kooky. childhood way of being fixated cooperate with the film and close- that we would be able to protect what goes on after the movie is murderer will not be screened When Monika’s little girl was with a toy we thought was alive. ly follow the dialogue to keep up him from the usual fate of child launched. We didn’t want excess today at 9:30pm in the I five, they accidentally left this toy How do you think foreign with the storyline... That’s why we stars that become famous prema- media attention to hurt Ondra so Thermal’s Small Hall as sched- behind at their weekend house. audiences will receive Kooky? are going to have English dubbing turely but may never repeat that we agreed he would not give uled. Four Lions will be She cried and said: “He’s going to We shall see. Right now, we are made in the summer. success, which is very traumatiz- interviews, we would not let him screened in its place. Screening I be afraid at night. What is he offering it to the Toronto festival. What was working with ing. I hope Ondra will avoid that. be photographed like a monkey code 128. Tickets can only be I going to eat? He’s used to sleep- It’s true that English-speaking your own son like? I hear you are not bringing in front of the poster and he bought at the main box office! ing in my bed...” audiences are used to animated Ondra wasn’t really interested him to the festival… would not have to bow to the Today’s 1pm screening of And she kept on nagging so they characters that have perfect facial in the shooting. We borrowed My wife and I agreed on that audience. Hopefully we will Paju (screening code 134) has finally got back into the car on expressions – so they move their a Yamaha keyboard for him for while we were deciding whether reduce any harm coming to him been cancelled. I Wednesday and drove all the way lips and wink their eyes to best the time, so once he finished he should or should not play in like that.
EXPLAINER SEE YOU THERE What’s the deal with the fest pass? So you’ve finally arrived at day until all available tickets are nally intended, your card’s validity Kryštof Mucha KVIFF and are ready to get down sold out. Tickets for films can be can easily be extended at any box to the business of festivaling! picked up on the day before the office. KVIFF executive director What’s the first port of call? You screening date or on the day of Apart from three free tickets may have noticed that a lot of peo- screening itself. We strongly rec- a day, a festival pass will also give If I could actually make it to the cinema, which I won’t be ple are sporting bright orange lan- ommend getting your tickets a day you free access to screenings with- able to as usual, I’d go and see Michael Powell’s The Red yards around their necks, with in advance, as demand often out a ticket if the theater is not Shoes. The screening of the restored copy will be introduced cards attached. Those are special exceeds supply. fully occupied five minutes before by Oscar-winning editor and Powell’s wife Thelma KVIFF passes and purchasing one You can purchase a KVIFF pass the film starts. Another advantage Schoonmaker. Judging from our earlier conversations, she can help you to get the most out of at any festival box office and you is that pass holders can attend comes across as a very intelligent, kind and forthcoming lady. the festival. Buying a Festival Pass can pick up tickets immediately at press conferences if the venue is Her introduction to the movie will definitely be impressive. will make it 50% cheaper to see the same place. You can buy a card not already full of accredited jour- I’m also looking forward to the opening film Crazy Heart movies compared to the price of for the entire festival or for one, nalists. Last but not least, the pass starring Jeff Bridges, who is one of my favorite actors. He buying individual tickets, as a pass three or five consecutive days. And entitles you to a discount for the gave an interesting and moving speech about director Scott entitles you to three free tickets for should you decide to stay at the Thermal’s pool, if you fancy a dip Cooper at the Golden Globe Awards ceremony in Los three different screenings every festival for longer than you origi- between screenings. I Angeles. I don’t know exactly what to expect from the film but I think it will be really big, which is usually the case when FESTIVAL PASS PRICES a young director reaps so much success with his first movie. Tonight’s opening film Crazy Heart will have public 1 day 3 days 5 days Entire festival screenings tomorrow (Pupp Cinema, 1:30pm) and on July 9 Festival Pass 200 CZK 500 CZK 700 CZK 1000 CZK (Grand Hall, 9am). The Red Shoes screens tomorrow at 2 Discount pass* 150 CZK 350 CZK 450 CZK 700 CZK pm in the Grand Hall and on July 8 in the Drahomíra *A discount pass may be bought by secondary school and university students, senior citizens and those with physical disabil- Cinema (4pm). ities (appropriate documentation such as an ISIC card, disability card, etc. must be presented upon purchase). (GP)
[email protected] FESTIVAL DAILY THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH DAILY OF THE 45TH KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PAGE 2 ENG FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010 KVIFF explores new horizons FACES Multiple award-winning Czech Cóilín O’Connor Sylvain Chomet, who follows up director Jan Svěrák arrives today on the success of The Triplets of with his new animated film Belleville with a hand-drawn, bit- Kooky, hoping for another Crystal In addition to its excellent orig- tersweet tale of an aging music- Globe to add to his 1994 win with inal programming, KVIFF also hall entertainer, penned by none The Ride. Daniel Burman annually treats its audiences to other than Jacques Tati. (Brother & Sister), whose 1998 A a “greatest hits” selection of some Other, equally enjoyable titles Chrysanthemum Burst in the world’s other major film festi- include Giuseppe Capotondi’s Cincoesquinas was arguably the vals with its Horizons sidebar. The Double Hour (a slick start of the New Argentine This year, filmgoers will get thriller, which is part crime caper, Cinema, might give Svěrák a run a chance to see 24 movies that part psychological drama with an for his money, as will Chi Zhang, have made a big splash at Venice, unexpected twist) and Jörgen who competed at the 43rd KVIFF Berlin, Sundance, and Toronto, Bergmark’s A Rational Solution, with The Shaft, and returns two Craig McCall among others. a charming comedy based around years later with Diago, a portrait Given that Horizons films have a bizarre love quadrangle, involv- of Macau ten years after the han- Serbian director Srdjan Koljević already been tried and tested else- ing four middle-aged Danes dover to Chinese rule. (Woman With a Broken Nose) and where, it is traditionally one of whose attempts to deal with infi- Keep an eye out for debut director of The Abandoned, Adis Karlovy Vary’s strongest sections. delity in a civilized manner pro- British director Clio Barnard Bakrač from Bosnia and “There is only one specific crite- duce some unexpected results. (The Arbor), fresh from her Herzegovina. rion for the selection of works Bergmark’s lighthearted look at award at this year’s Tribeca festi- The acclaimed American short screened in Horizons and that is relationships is far removed from val. Jeff Malmberg is also arriv- film director and Forum of the quality of the films,” says Robert Adrian Pejo’s The ing victorious, with Marwencol Independents competitor Quinn KVIFF senior programmer Ivana Photo: KVIFF Cameramurderer, in which an picking up the Best Documentary Saunders (Cherry.) is expected Novotná. “The films should be prize at SXSW FF this year. to arrive today, as is Israeli direc- Zrinka Cvitešić in Jasmila Žbanić’s On the Path. internet snuff video casts a dark appealing both emotionally as shadow over a reunion between They’re joined by renowned tor Edit Sheratzki (Consolation). well as in their film form.” tival for her portrayal of a wife films made by filmmakers who old friends in a remote Hungarian Dutch documentarist John People from all over the world One movie that certainly packs struggling to cope with a recently have already acquired an interna- retreat. Appel, perhaps betting on a win are converging on Karlovy Vary an emotional punch is Giorgio de-mobbed husband who has been tional reputation.” This year’s The disquieting impact of with The Player. today. Other people to look out Diritti’s haunting The Man Who brutalized by his harrowing expe- selection also has no shortage of Pejo’s thriller is matched by Azerbaijan-born Moscow resi- for include young Russian film- Will Come. This exquisitely rience of World War II. Lebanon some big hitters in the world of Jasmila Žbanić’s eye-opening On dent Chingiz Rasulzade (The maker Sergei Loznitsa (My Joy), filmed, child’s eye view of an also takes an unflinching look at cinema, including the latest the Path, which explores the rise Dolls) arrives today, as do multi-talented writer/directors infamous Nazi massacre of armed conflict, this time from the efforts from the Coen brothers (A of orthodox Islam among the Craig McCall (Cameraman: Italian citizens as “punishment” perspective of four young Israeli Serious Man), Neil Jordan hitherto secular “white” Muslims The Life and Work of Jack for partisan activity during WWII recruits. Their first terrifying taste (Ondine), Todd Solondz (Life of Bosnia. Cardiff) Sander Francken is bound to resonate strongly with of battle in the confined space of During Wartime), Atom Egoyan The vast scope and variety of (Bardsongs), and Cheng Wen- Czech audiences, who are already a tank gives the film a gripping (Chloe), Michael Winterbottom this year’s Horizons films is typi- tang (Tears), Japanese director familiar with their country’s own claustrophobic intensity, which (The Killer Inside Me) and cal for this sidebar, says Novotná, Hitoshi Yazaki (Sweet Little similar tragedy in the village of helped it bag the Golden Lion at Dogme 95 director Thomas who claims that the high standard Lies), wry Canadian spoofster Lidice. Venice. Debut director Samuel Vinterberg (Submarino). of cinematography is perhaps the Eli Craig (Tucker & Dale The specter of war is also pres- Maoz will also be coming to Perhaps more than any other only thing they all truly share. “I vs. Evil), South Korean ent in a number of other films in KVIFF to present the film in per- KVIFF section, Horizons screens wouldn’t say that the films includ- writer/director Cho Chang-ho Horizons. Koji Wakamatsu caused son. films spanning several genres and ed in the Horizons section this (Lovers Vanished), and the Irish a stir at this year’s Berlinale with According to Novotná, the cinematic styles, which ensures year have certain things in com- writer/director Carmel Winters, Caterpillar. This deeply disturb- Horizons section is always its broad appeal. There is plenty mon,” she says. “And I actually participating in this year’s ing drama won Shinobu Terajima extremely popular with KVIFF for old-school animation fans to don’t think they should really, Variety Critics’ Choice selection the Best Actress award at the fes- audiences because they “can find savor in The Illusionist by apart from their quality.” I Srdjan Koljević with Snap. I
REVIEWERS RECOMMEND Phillip Bergson BBC World Service Radio, London Kawasaki’s Rose Director: Jan Hřebejk, Czech Republic, 2009, 95 min July 2, 6:30pm, Small Hall At the 1999 festival here, Jan Hřebejk won the FIPRESCI Award for Cosy Dens, and it is good to see our choice vindicated – his latest film Kawasaki’s Rose confirms his continuing skill in handling ensemble casts (“Czech Lion” awards were won by two supporting players in March), and increasingly ambitious and complex themes, with humanity and wry humour. The original score by Aleš Březina is an added delight in a film where the leading character's present- day success cannot completely mask the infamy of the past, or of a life lived well but not too wisely. The Killer Inside Me Director: Michael Winterbottom, UK, USA, 2010, 120 min July 2, 10pm, Congress Hall Michael Winterbottom has become one of the most varied and original of British filmmakers. Lancashire-born, he has a truly global palette, and his continuing collaboration with Danish-born cinematographer Marcel Zyskind has ensured a striking look to challenging, often provocative dra- mas. Expect visual fireworks in The Killer Inside Me, another screen ver- sion of Jim Thompson's 1952 noir crime novel (once considered as a vehicle for Marilyn Monroe), transposed to Texas where a baby-faced Sheriff Casey Affleck gives a remarkable performance as a seriously cracked pil- lar of the community. Bad Family Director: Aleksi Salmenperä, Finland, 2010, 92 min July 2, 5pm, Karlovy Vary Theater With only his second film A Man's Job, Aleksi Salmenperä carried off the top award at the 2007 Cinema Jove Festival in Valencia. His new film Bad Family is a similarly sardonic slice of household malice from con- temporary Finland. A successful judge, and seemingly devoted albeit strict father, turns out to have had an earlier wife. Her demise brings a bohemian daughter from Denmark, for whom her younger half-brother develops an unhealthy affection. Elements of Greek Tragedy and echoes of Festen deftly balance on a samurai sword-edge with some very sharp Northern humour in this dry “dramedy.” Crazy Heart Director: Scott Cooper, USA, 2009, 112 min July 2, 7pm, Grand Hall (Opening film – invitation only, public screenings on July 3 and July 9) Hollywood often takes its time to reward its stars and actors (not always the same people) with the traditional tributes. Jeff Bridges had four Academy Award nominations before picking up the gilded statuette at the Californian equivalent of the Czech Lions as Best Actor in Crazy Heart earlier this year. He has long been a golden boy of American cinema, and leading roles enabled him to exude his natural charm before the Coen Brothers turned him into something of a cult figure in The Big Lebowksi. When he starts to strum his stuff as the down-but-not-out country music singer-songwriter, I doubt there'll be a dry eye in the Velký sál. I
[email protected] FESTIVAL DAILY THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH DAILY OF THE 45TH KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010 PAGE 3 ENG
OFFICIAL SELECTION WHAT AM I
ferent as can be in tone – though DOING HERE? both show clear signs of directori- Mihai Chirilov Quality films by the dozen al mastery. Just Between Us, the Croatian Artistic Director /Serbian/Slovenian entry by Transilvania IFF 12 Crystal Globe candidates showcase new world cinema Rajko Grlić, explores the troubles a philandering man creates for Will Tizard film representing the Americas himself, looking with irony at this year, is a visually lush tale of modern European urban life in grieving and survival by ways Daniel Burman would The main feature film con- Canada’s Catherine Martin. It’s appreciate. tenders for the Crystal Globe the polar opposite of the ironic Poland’s Mother Teresa of offer more than a glimpse of what Brother & Sister in terms of Cats by Paweł Sala, is, like 3 the world’s boldest emerging mood, with little of that film’s Seasons, based on real events and filmmakers can do. The 12 films sharp-tongued dialogue or quick drawn from recent history but in the Official Selection race also pacing, but it offers up strikes a more somber tone in its reflect the concerns and obses- a thoroughly immersive atmos- look at notorious murders and sions of the global community – phere just as eloquent. Its charac- what may have driven them, and a chance to look into the ters inhabit a bleak and frozen employing flashbacks and inno- I This is your first time at mindsets of filmmakers from land where even expression vative structure. China to Argentina. seems snowbound – yet the story KVIFF. Do you know what to Russia’s entry, Another Sky by expect? As one puts it, “I am very line and character development Dmitri Mamulia, is a timely tale respectful of dreams.” So says are just as fascinating. Being involved in organizing of Uzbeks struggling with big- a film festival myself, I’m always Daniel Burman, the writer and As in most years, the Official city life in Moscow while endeav- director of Brother & Sister, Selection category – in which interested in how other festivals oring to preserve their dignity and are organized, how are they struc- a story of comic intrigues in the every film must be a world, inter- identity. Argentine capital. Like many of national or European premiere tured and conceived, and how There Are Things You Don’t they eventually achieve their the filmmakers bringing their made after January 1, 2009 – Photo: KVIFF Know, Iran’s entry by Fardin goals. Apart from my duties in work to KVIFF, he’s an inde- tends to focus mainly on Europe. Brother & Sister by Argentine director Daniel Burman. Saheb Zamani, also weighs in on pendent; resourceful, comfortable Spain’s entry, Agustí Vila’s The KVIFF (serving on the East of the gritty reality of survival in the the West jury), which are intrigu- with limited budgets, and with no Mosquito Net, also considers the relationships however, and relies film world as we know it. It’s city, this time from the perspec- ing and challenging, I intend to great desire to be discovered and pain that often dwells at the heart heavily on the performance of a star–studded road movie with tive of a restless and lonely taxi explore as many of the parallel cash in. of family life but in this case the a discovery, the youthful actress Portuguese siren Maria de driver. sections as possible, in order to Burman admits that working on issues are multigenerational and Anaïs Demoustier playing a girl Medeiros leading the expedition China’s Diago, the last of this “steal” ideas or get films for the the fringes of the global movie deal with the characters’ struggle who’s seemingly a homeless and posing troubling questions dynamic dozen, offers another future editions of my festival. map is hardly easy – in order to to grapple with their roles and innocent, but proves to be far under the guise of researching the look at a society in disorienting I Besides your jury and fes- keep his films coming out, he has responsibilities. It’s another removed from either of these story of actress Micheline Presle, transition, in this case the island tival scouting duties, is there to be a cagey businessman and well–penned script, which lead- descriptions. She’s hardly the one of Europe’s grande dames of province of Macau. This is a fine anything else at KVIFF that keep up his small production ing lady Geraldine Chaplin called only one with a hidden agenda, classic cinema. follow-up to director Chi Zhang’s has piqued your interest? company, he says. But the artistic one of the three best scripts she’s however. The two Czech entries, Tomáš atmospheric 2008 entry at KVIFF, I’m curious how the Romanian freedom that comes with working ever read. Hitler in Hollywood, a Belgian- Mašín’s 3 Seasons in Hell, The Shaft, and it is typical of what film Aurora, which I missed at outside the big studios is what France’s entry, Sweet Evil by French-Italian mockumentary by inspired by the life of dissident program director Karel Och says Cannes, will be received in keeps him going. Olivier Coussemacq, is also Frédéric Sojcher, strikes a lighter post-war poet Egon Bondy, and is the raison d’être of the festival’s KVIFF as it’s such a demanding That spirit, as ever, is evident in a tightly scripted story that turns tone but also examines, with thor- Jan Svěrák’s Kooky, an ingenious official selection, namely “to pres- film for any audience. (Cristi each of the Crystal Globe con- on troubles in the home and oughly off-the-wall humor, the mix of animation and live action ent strong stories that are commu- Puiu’s Aurora screens at KVIFF tenders. hearth. This one’s a dark and sus- topic of hidden forces – ones that centered on the adventures of nicated in an original and innova- on July 5 and July 10). I Mourning for Anna, the other penseful take on parent-child may well have shaped the modern a lost teddy bear, are also as dif- tive way.” I BELGIAN CINEMA
@ KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2010
DE HELAASHEID DER DINGEN LOST PERSONS AREA MAN ZKT. VROUW MY QUEEN KARO (THE MISFORTUNATES) (A PERFECT MATCH) by Felix van Groeningen by Caroline Strubbe by Miel Van Hoogenbemt by Dorothée van den Berghe prod: Menuet prod: Minds Meet prod: A Private View prod: caviar
sales: MK2 sales: UMedia sales: High Point sales: Doc & Film
^
^ 2.7 19:00 Congress Hall/Thermal 5.7 19:00 Congress Hall/Thermal* 5.7 10:30 Lázne III 3.7 16:00 Congress^ Hall/Thermal* 6.7 16:00 Congress Hall/Thermal 7.7 10:30 Lázne III 8.7 13:00 Congress Hall/Thermal 6.7 10:30 Lázne III 10.7 18:30 Small Hall/Thermal 9.7 22:00 Drahomíra * in the presence of actor * in the presence of Caroline Strubbe Matthias Schoenaerts www.fl andersimage.com
follow us on:
[email protected] Karlovy Vary
FESTIVAL DAILY THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH DAILY OF THE 45TH KARLOVY VARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PAGE 4 ENG FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010
Kino Drahomíra á zn ítě V
Teplá Pobřežní
Ohře Lidická Festival
va Bezručova ro Ho
Martel T. G. Masaryka Espace Dorleans BOX OFFICES – OPENING HOURS Box Office: July 1 July 2 – 9 July 10 Thermal 6 main box offices, Kino Čas Hotel Thermal 9am – 10pm 8am – midnight 8am – midnight 6 box offices, steps Krále Jiřího Stan kapitána Dětský stan a koutek – 8am – 10pm – Romania Morgana outside Hotel Thermal Last-minute box office, Malta Info. desk, Hotel Thermal 9am – 10pm 8am – midnight 8am – midnight Kosmos Pavlov Růže 8 F-Bar box offices, 9am – 10pm 8am – midnight 8am – 1pm Teplá Kolonáda Hotel Thermal Cordoba Na vyhlídce 2 Pupp box offices, – 9am – 10pm – Sirius Grandhotel Pupp Vodafone box office, Hotel Thermal – 8am – 8pm 8am – 8pm Venus Villa Renan Lázně III POKLADNY – OTEVÍRACÍ DOBA Modena Pokladna: 1. 7. 2. 7. – 9. 7. 10. 7. Hlavní pokladna – 6x Excelsior hotel Thermal 9:00 – 22:00 8:00 – 24:00 8:00 – 24:00 Venkovní pokladny – 6x schody u hotelu Thermal – 8:00 – 22:00 – Last Minute pokladna 9:00 – 22:00 8:00 – 24:00 8:00 – 24:00 Informace,Salvator hotel Thermal Pokladna F-Bar – 8x Petra Velikého Ontario hotel Thermal 9:00 – 22:00 8:00 – 24:00 8:00 – 13:00 Pokladna PUPP – 2x – 9:00 – 22:00 – Promenáda Grandhotel JeanPupp de Carro Pokladna Vodafone Quest hotel hotel Thermal – 8:00 – 20:00 8:00 – 20:00
Aeroport Corso Olympia Krásná královna Maltézský kříž Divadlo K. Vary Ostende Dvořák Vinárna Festivalová bokovka P ra Embassy Husovka ž s
k
á
St. Petersburg s i l U Imperialu n i Pupp ce Vodafone Fér Hotel Klub – Lázně I
Kinosál – Cinema Teplá Klub – Club Richmond Dětský stan a koutek – 200 m Kids‘ corner and tent
PRÁVO – ti
accessible break from intense There are several options today ON THE TOWN movie-going – or, if you’re cele- for a little open-air musical or brating a distribution deal, con- Wi-Fi, or watch koi flit about theatrical entertainment. The Sushi Sakura sider a bottle of one of the Italian their little canal while you wait. podium in front of the Thermal Dr. Davida Bechera 7 vintages. The rest of the menu, ¤ And we did wait. But hey, it was Hotel will host Jan Budař and 777 912 311 as you’d expect, covers the usual busy, the food was tasty, and the Eliška’s Band at 5pm, followed www.sushisakura.cz Italian cuisine items and they’re gracious, good-humored staff by popular Czech rock band 100 Open 11am – 10pm, certainly done adequately. 12am – 10pm weekends were happy to speak halting °C at 8.30pm. Younger audiences Filling penne and gnocchi with With its slick Japanese-style English. 0.33l Czech beers go will love the Open-Air Theatre for 39 CZK; imported Japanese cheese and tomato sauces (105- under the Chebský Bridge, where interior, comfortable chairs, and 298 CZK) are par for the course, jazzy music, Sushi Sakura is a beers for 85 CZK. they can watch the chil- though house salamis and Parma dren’s fairy tale Frantík the class act. Choose a “Sushi ham are good finds, as is the Happy Set” from the back of the Venezia Little Kangaroo today at 3pm. Zahradní 43 tiramisu and Illy coffee. Don’t forget that the opening of menu (150-500 CZK), or splurge ¤ on a 2,900 CZK 64-piece tray – 353 229 721 Schaffy’s GARÁŽ the festival will be marked by you’ll get quality sushi presented www.venezia-pizzeria.cz a gala firework display at the Open daily from 11am to 11pm I.P. Pavlova with style. For those who don’t (100 m from the Thermal) Photo: Jan Handrejch Thermal at 10pm. Or for some- fancy their food in tiny, room- An invariable draw to KVIFF ¤ 608 060 609 Upscale Japanese cuisine at Sushi Sakura. thing a little bit different, check temperature parcels, try the Thai attendees, Venezia is a one- www.schaffys.cz out the special animation on the Hot Pot (145-215 CZK), or the minute walk from the Thermal Open daily from 1pm till even if it didn’t feature a secret food, which features palatable façade of the Aeroport club intriguing “Duck Vegan” (145 and offers a great view of the fest “last man standing” weapon. But it does: This lively chicken wings, pork ribs and (Divadelní náměstí 43), featuring CZK). While not vegan myself, I mothership from just across the With a rollicking American spot offers hot food until late at chili cheese nuggets. Besides videomapping, a type of 3D ani- do prefer any ducks I eat to be. Teplá stream. From its roofed college bar feel, close proximity night. It’s also got a decent range offering 0.4 l pitchers of Granát mation in free space. You can see Meals named Nemo and Happy street-front terrace, a well- to the Thermal and a huge cock- of non-alcoholic cocktails, (a malty, amber-colored Czech this innovative video art every Feet could tempt fussy kids (145 topped pizza (98-250 CZK) and tail menu (starting at 89 CZK), another welcome and rare inno- lager), there is also a whole night of the festival from 10pm to CZK inc. dessert). Use the free a Budvar (35 CZK) make for an Schaffy’s would be a good find vation in KV. Do try the bar range of shooters. (PLC/GP) 2am. (GP)