“Oleh Sentsov’s Fight for Freedom: The Impact of his Courageous Hunger Strike”

The th edition of the International Film Festival (IFFhas recently announced its lineup for the upcoming event in the Czech spa town, scheduled to take place from June to July . The competition jury, headed by esteemed indie film producer Christine Vachon, includes Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, Hungarian director Gábor Reisz, Icelandic poet and novelist Sjón, and Czech actress Eliška Křenková. This year’s official selection will showcase directorial or feature-directorial debuts, along with several world premieres. Additionally, the festival will feature special screenings, including the highly anticipated world premiere of a film by Ukrainian filmmaker and former.

Sov’s latest documentary, entitled Real, showcases the valiant efforts of Lieutenant Sentsov as he defends his homeland as a member of the Ukrainian army. Sentsov courageously joined the army at the onset of the Russian invasion in February . The film portrays an intense moment during which his infantry fighting vehicle was destroyed by enemy artillery, leading to challenges in organizing the evacuation of his unit due to limited ammunition and constant Russian gunfire. The operation, aptly named Real, serves as the inspiration for Sentsov’s eponymous film, providing viewers with a one-of-a-kind immersive experience and granting a profound hyper-documentary perspective into the events.

The current year’s KVIFF competition lineup includes films such as Iveta Grófová’s The Hungarian Dressmaker, which explores the emergence of nationalism in Slovakia during the s, and Bruno Anković’s Celebration, a cinematic adaptation of a novel set in a Croatian village from to where right-wing ideologies gain prominence. Another notable entry is Rude to Love by Japanese filmmaker Yukihiro Morigakia, which delves into a disintegrating marriage. Renowned filmmakers like Mark Cousins will also be showcasing their work at the festival, with A Sudden being one of the featured films in the competition.

The discourse will feature discussions on British contemporary painter Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and Noaz Deshe’s debut of Xoftex, portraying a Greek refugee camp in which Syrian and Palestinian asylum seekers anxiously await updates on their refugee status. Additionally, the organizers revealed the lineup for Karlovy Vary’s Proxima sidebar during the press conference on Tuesday. The sidebar is designed to showcase daring works by emerging filmmakers and established auteurs. This year’s selection includes films exploring the theme of hotel rooms as spaces where individuals are disconnected from one another, leftist students facing disruption from members of a right-wing movement, and Trans Memoria.

The filmmaker has created a documentary diary chronicling her return to Thailand in , where she underwent her transition. The Karlovy Vary team identified common themes present in multiple films within the lineup. These themes include innovative reinterpretations of aesthetic norms in period films, a nuanced exploration of women’s destinies in modern society, and the direct impact of political events on individual lives globally. KVIFF artistic director Karel Och emphasized the presence of these recurring themes throughout their film selection.

The festival presented a diverse selection of global films, including new releases. The official lineup includes debut films out of , alongside works by well-known directors such as Mark Cousins, Oleh Sentsov, Noaz Deshe, Antonin Peretjatko, Beata Parkanova, and Burak Cevik, he announced. The complete KVIFF official selection, along with film descriptions, can be found below. In the Crystal Globe Competition, Ai ni ranbou / Rude to Love directed by Yukihiro Morigaki from Japan stands out as an unsettling drama depicting a marriage in decline.

What we can learn

The documentary diary of the filmmaker’s return to Thailand for her transition offers a personal and intimate look at a journey of self-discovery. The themes highlighted by the Karlovy Vary team in their film selection demonstrate the power of cinema to reflect and explore complex issues within society. As KVIFF artistic director Karel Och noted, these recurring themes not only make for compelling viewing, but also serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of individual lives with broader political and social events worldwide. The diverse range of perspectives and stories presented at the festival underscore the importance of storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy across cultures.