Karlovy Vary Festival President’s Award to be presented to actress Magda Vášáryová

Actress Magda Vášáryová will receive the President’s Award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, which will take place this year from July 3 to 11. By honoring one of Slovakia’s most prominent actresses, the festival aims not only to recognize her acting achievements but also to highlight the unique artistic collaboration between Czech and Slovak filmmakers who have shared a common film history. This was announced today by the festival’s executive director Kryštof Mucha.

As a tribute to Vášáryová, the festival will screen the film Vtáčkovia, siroty a blázni by Juraj Jakubisko. The screenplay was co-written by Jakubisko and writer Karol Sidon, according to the organizers.

A breakthrough role early in Vášáryová’s career was the title character in the historical drama Marketa Lazarová, directed by František Vláčil. In 1998, this film was voted the most important work in the history of Czech cinema by domestic film critics and journalists.