Crowe's gig night as he picks up gong

Russell Crowe woos the crowds in Karlovy Vary - with praise for the organisers and a live opening musical blast. Photo: Film Servis Karlovy Vary

Alicia Vikaner, the Swedish star of Karlovy Vary opening film Firebrand meets the crowds in the Czech watering hole Photo: Film Servis Karlovy Vary

It’s often said about the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Bohemian spa town in the Czech Republic that if you’re a name and you turn up you’ll receive automatically a prestigious Crystal Globe award.

The organisers are quite self-deprecating about their lot and have commissioned a whole series of vignettes in which the Crystal Globe winners figure prominently with such past recipients as Andy Garcia and John Malkovich and others having fun with quirky sketches around the chunky emblem which screen before features.

At last night’s packed and glittering opening of the 57th edition in the presence of Gladiator star Russell Crowe it was revealed that Johnny Depp had indeed turned up to a previous festival but somehow missed out on an award. As part of an interview in the latest in the series of clips he reveals his disappointment about being a non-award winner but he has a coup de theâtre in his musical case. Cue for wild applause from the first night audience.

Alicia Vikander introduces the screening of Firebrand at Karlovy Vary and receives a Crystal Globe award Photo: Richard Mowe

Crowe confessed that the Festival had not been on his radar - but having got to know it now he thoroughly approved of an event that managed its organisation so well that everything “happened like clockwork and everything is on time.”

He noted he had been to many film festivals all over the world that were so disorganised but he had to congratulate the team at Karlovy Vary for their hard work and efficiency despite the unscheduled thunder claps and torrential rain which accompanied the glitterati on the red carpet.

Crowe recalled that he had been making feature films since 1989 and luckily he continues to get a buzz out of his choices. “I never have to wake up at 4am and wonder why I am going to work - I always know the reason. The older I get the more passionate I get about film and how it can educate and thrill - it just gets deeper and deeper. You have to remember, in particular all those film makers in the room, that it only takes one voice to make a difference. So make that your voice.”

Clara McGregor to be joined by her father Ewan McGregor in Karlovy Vary Photo: Film Servis Karlovy Vary

In a shameless plug for his concert which followed the opening ceremony and screening (of the costume drama Firebrand with Alicia Wikander) Crowe said he much appreciated the honour but he was really here for the gig (with his group Indoor Garden Party). “Don’t go to bed early - I’ll see you at the show,” he enthused to wild anticipation from the throng.

Alicia Vikander was also a recipient of a Crystal Globe, recalled her affection for the Czech Republic because it was the location for the film The Royal Affair which put her on the global arena after starting out on films in her native Sweden.

Also just arrived in town last night (Friday) is Clara McGregor, daughter of Ewan McGregor, who stars alongside her father in You Sing Louder, I Sing Louder about a father and daughter relationship. McGregor père is expected imminently.

Johnny Depp full of self-deprecation in clip for Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Photo: Richard Mowe