April 07, 2008 | Vendula Veselá
There was something new and something old at the fifteenth annual Febiofest international film festival. What certainly hasn’t changed is the quality of the films and the festival’s characteristic atmosphere. One of the country’s best known cultural events, Febiofest takes place for one week in Prague before continuing in other cities throughout Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia.
While the film festival isn’t quite as old as the Karlovy Vary festival, for example, Febiofest has certainly reached a deserved level of credibility and can be proud of the high standard of international films it includes in its program. It gives audiences an opportunity to see the best of contemporary cinematography.
Looking for the man!
Febiofest was first organized in 1993 by the Febio production company, which is closely associated with the Slovak director Fera Fenič, founder and director of Febiofest. Fenič himself admits that those beginnings were characterized by errors, inexperience and a lack of money.
Much has changed since then, however. This year’s event has a budget of 25.5 million Czech crowns. Because of the high visitor turn out, Febiofest can hardly be considered the same small gathering of film aficionados that it was fifteen years ago.
Febiofest 2008: The numbers
14 theaters in Prague
26 theaters throughout the Czech Republic
26 screening halls
64 countries represented
249 films
458 screenings in Prague
569 screenings throughout the Czech Republic
From the mainstream to the experimental
“Something for everyone” could have been the unofficial slogan of the 15th annual Febiofest thanks to the variety of films screened at this year’s event. They included a long list of newly released films, such as There Will Be Blood, starring Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis. In addition to films with big-name directors and famous actors, a slate of non-commercial and foreign films from countries such as Bangladesh, Kurdistan, Singapore and Uruguay were also screened.
Febiofest has also gained a reputation among film lovers for the number of excellent older films shown during the festival. This year’s documentary category, for example, was heavily influenced by the upcoming anniversary of the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in August, 1968.
The event’s main venue was the Village Cinema Anděl multiplex in Prague, which screened fifty films a day, ranging from Asian film to Latin American film to Gay and Lesbian film to the so-called “Cinema of New Directions”. Another, rather unconventional venue was the municipal court house, where films in the category Law and Lawlessness were shown. A third venue was the Ponrepo cinema.
The jury: A nurse, a businessman, a handyman
As with every film festival, a grand prize was awarded to the best film at Febiofest. This year, the competition was focused on a young, European film.
“There will be fifteen films from fifteen European countries vying for it; the winner will be chosen by the jury, which is made up of 33 films fans,” said director Fero Fenič. Yes, he did say fans, not critics.
Director Fero Fenič and the festival’s jury. Source: Febiofest
The jury this year was simply exceptional and seemed to be a sociological cross-section of the Czech film-going public. Jury members ranged in age from 15 to 69, came from cities and villages across the country and represented a broad spectrum of professions. None of those on the jury did anything related to writing film reviews.
A researcher, a student, a psychiatrist, a business man and a teacher were just some of those responsible for choosing a winner at the 2008 event. In the event of a deadlock, the jury’s honorary chairman, architect Jan Kaplický, was to make the final decision.
Members of the jury said they were excited about the new experience, despite having to “consume” four films per day. They praised the atmosphere while alluding to the difficulty and responsibility that their new roles entailed.
“Of course there are some films that I didn’t like, but it would have been strange if I liked them all, wouldn’t it?” explained jury member Miroslav Cejnar, who is a hotelier by profession. “Those few (that scored points) were flawless.”
The Estonian film Magnus, which was directed by Kadri Kõusaar and ultimately took first prize in the competition, cashed in on the ten thousand-euro grand prize, which was split between the film’s creators and its potential Czech distributor.
Director Kadri Kõusaar. Source: Febiofest
The main prize at Febiofest is complimented by the critics’ award, called the Kristian.
How to recognize a film-goer?
What does the typical visitor to Febiofest look like? Probably like a member of the jury. Of course, there are a lot of bespectacled students, who can also attend the morning screenings. All visitors however, spend the week consumed by film. While long line ups for tickets are common, not so are people cutting in line or the usual sharp elbows. Instead, there is only disappointment in missing the show. Because the cost of tickets is surprisingly low, ranging from 39 to 79 crowns per screening, Febiofest draws the widest possible public.
Mirka Spáčilová, one of the best known Czech film critics, explained why a week at Febiofest is odd. She simply doesn’t go to the cinema.
“It’s not that I wouldn’t want to, except that I simply can’t. It doesn’t work. It seems to be to be sacrilegious take the place of someone more enthusiastic, more eager, more passionate.”
Learning by example
While movie stars are a part of every international film festival, Febiofest isn’t a typical red-carpet affair like the one at Karlovy Vary. But while it may be different, that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t attract some big names.
This year’s festival was opened by Alan Parker, the respected British director famous for musical films such as Pink Floyd: The Wall, the Commitments and Evita, as well as for dramatic films such as Angel Heart, Angela’s Ashes, Midnight Express and Mississippi Burning.
Alan Parker collecting his prize. Source: Febiofest
The British director, who was in Prague for the first time, was also awarded the Kristián prize for his contribution to international film. He spent the evening making jokes at his own expense and quipping about the large metal trophy he received. “I will have to think up a good excuse when I get on the airplane, as this trophy looks rather dangerous,” he joked.
Sir Alan later went on to introduce the Commitments, one of his older films about the emergence, fame and dissolution of one Dublin group. It is interesting to note that one of the film’s staring roles was played by a young musician named Glen Hansard. Hansard, along with the Czech Republic’s Marketa Irglová, won an Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards for the song for the film Once.
In past years, Febiofest has hosted Oliver Dahan, the director of this year’s Oscar winning film Edith Piaf, as well as the legendary beauty Claudia Cardinale and director Roman Polanski.
Febiofest Music Festival
There were more than just films on offer at this year’s festival. In fact, film and music make a great combination.
“The music festival has become for us an integral part of Febiofest, because it brings in a slightly different audience to Village Cinemas and gives the festival center an special, dynamic character,” explained Fero Fenič.
Febiofest Music Festival. Source: Febiofest
A total of 48 musical performances were put on as part of the Febiofest Music Festival.
The biggest international group to perform was southern France’s Mango Gadzi. Other acts on the main stage included Roe Deer and Nana Zorin. World music stars Kypnotix closed the festival.
It’s worth mentioning that entrance to the concerts was – as always – free!
Febiofest hits the road
While Prague is the biggest stop on the Febiofest tour, the event travels the Czech Republic long after the festivities end in the capital city on April 4. Film-goers in Liberec, Hradec Králové, Pardubice, České Budějovice, Brno, Ostrava and Olomouc will also be able to enjoy Febiofest. A Slovak leg of the festival is also planned for the end of April. With more than 130,000 visitors coming out for the Prague event alone, Febiofest certainly shouldn’t be missed.
And even though this year’s Febiofest isn’t yet over, the 16th edition of the film festival will kick off at the end of March, 2009, and will also be brought to cities throughout the Czech Republic.