Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Latest reviews

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  Closed Curtain

  Review preview for Closed Curtain

  The more problematic aspects of the film stem from a narrative that cannot sustain the inventiveness of the central conceit and which peters out before the end.

  A writer and his dog retreat to a coastal villa only to have their peace disturbed by two siblings fleeing the police.
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  100 Bloody Acres

  Review preview for 100 Bloody Acres

  Herriman is perfect in the lead.

  Two enterprising brothers from the Australian boondocks launch a rickety business selling organic fertiliser - with a secret ingredient.
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  Northwest

  Review preview for Northwest

  A well-shot and occasionally sweaty run around the same old block.

  A teenager gets sucked into a turf war.
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  September

  Review preview for September

  The performances of Kora Karvouni as Anna and Maria Skoula as Sophia are captivating.

  Anna, a taciturn 30-something, lives in a small flat with her dog Manu, who means everything to her. After a distressing incident which disrupts her life, Anna attaches herself to the family of Sofia, a happily married woman and mother of two children.
• 
  Long Live Freedom

  Review preview for Long Live Freedom

  Part farce, part political commentary, part soul-searching device.

  After an under-pressure politician disappears, his look-alike brother fills the gap... and starts to win popular support.
• 
  Concussion

  Review preview for Concussion

  A brilliant central performance from Robin Weigert.

  A frustrated woman secretly becomes a lesbian escort.
• 
  Love Steaks

  Review preview for Love Steaks

  The comedy shifts and jumps with ease from the wintry beach to the pool and into our hearts due to the acute timing of the performances.

  Luxury hotel. Luxury clientele. Irritable staff. A couple who might fall in love, or they might leave their relationship in its raw state – like the titular steaks.
• 
  An Episode In The Life Of An Iron Picker

  Review preview for An Episode In The Life Of An Iron Picker

  Drawing from real life events, Tanic's docudrama gains its power from the emotionally stirring scenario and all-round naturalistic performances, which feel infused with greater honesty given that a version of this nightmare has been played out in real lif

  Life becomes desperate for a scrap merchant when his pregnant wife needs medical help they can't afford.
• 
  Pandas

  Review preview for Pandas

  Pandas is gleeful, brutal, mischievous and funny.

  Animated tale about the clash for space between pandas and humans.
• 
  Cutie And The Boxer

  Review preview for Cutie And The Boxer

  With such a fascinating subject, it's hard for a documentary to go wrong.

  Two fiercely creative artists continue to spar after 40 years spent head over heels in love.

A–Z of Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2013 reviews →

Features

• Life and movement
  Jasmine Trinca on the physicality of her role in Honey and roles for women in Italian cinema.
• A taste of Honey
  Valeria Golino on her award-winning film, breaking boundaries, the meaning of rabbits and more.
• Danger man
  Denis Côté on ambiguity, surprise and risk-taking in Vic + Flo Saw A Bear.
• Achieving greatness
  Paolo Sorrentino on The Great Beauty, music, fashion and flamingos.
• Nature of man
  David Gordon Green on Prince Avalanche, the environment and listening to the silence.
• In the family
  Hirokazu Kore-eda on Like Father, Like Son
• The precision of a master
  Wong Kar Wai on making The Grandmaster
• Martin Scorsese supports The Grandmaster
  Director lends his name to Wong Kar Wai's film.
• To The Lighthouse and beyond
  David Lowery in conversation about Ain't Them Bodies Saints.
• Oliver Stone sets the record straight
  Wall Street director on big brother scandals and greed.
• Frankenstein unbound
  Richard Raaphorst on Frankestein's Army.
• Return of the Comeback Kid
  John Travolta says he is a born survivor.
• Making Martin Bonner
  Chad Hartigan and Richmond Arquette in conversation
• Travolta Czechs it out
  Karlovy Vary in gear to go global.
• This is Paul Eenhoorn
  The Aussie actor talks about his role in This Is Martin Bonner.
• Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais on Whitewash
  Cold comfort in Quebec.
• It's a Whitewash
  Thomas Haden Church and Marc Labrèche on muscles, the wilderness, strongly hideous clothes, and what eats at them.
• On the road with Javier Rebollo
  The director on The Dead Man And Being Happy and the importance of dogs, accents, freedom and tenderness in film.
• New York Film Festival - diary two
  Frances Ha, Passion but no De Palma, Tabu and Miguel Gomes raises a toast.

News

• Honours for Hungary
  Karlovy Vary bestows its top awards.
• Critics heap praise on Shame
  Karlovy Vary announces first accolades.
• Travolta clear as crystal - in Czech
  Star receives lifetime achievement award.