Latest news with #59thKarlovyVaryInternationalFilmFestival
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dakota Johnson likely to make her directorial debut
Dakota Johnson shared her future plans in filmmaking and acting during a press roundtable at the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in the Czech Republic. The actress, who is well known for her roles in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Lost Daughter, revealed her aspiration to direct her first feature film. 'I think I will direct a very small one, hopefully soon,' Johnson said. She added that the project would be particularly special to her as it's close to her production company, TeaTime Pictures. The feature will be based on a script written by Vanessa Burghardt, an autistic actress who starred alongside Johnson in Cha Cha Real Smooth. Johnson expressed her desire to direct the film because of her strong bond with Burghardt. 'I feel very protective of her,' Johnson shared. 'I just won't let anybody else do it.' In addition to her directing aspirations, Johnson discussed the focus of TeaTime Pictures, which aims to tell female-centric stories that break away from traditional norms. She emphasized that her productions are often provocative, not in a sexual sense but through emotional depth and complexity. Johnson enjoys creating stories with nuanced female characters, including anti-heroes and complex women who challenge conventional expectations. 'I want to create films with female characters who are real, angry, and perhaps even do things that are deemed atrocious, but the audience is still on their side,' she said. Johnson also touched on her desire to avoid toxic sets. 'With producing, that's one of the perks,' she stated. 'I can surround myself with positive people who create a healthy work environment.' The actress also shared her evolving perspective on movie success, mentioning how box office numbers aren't the sole measure anymore. For her, success is about emotional impact and connecting with audiences, rather than just financial outcomes. "The way I measure success is through people who felt something or it meant something to them," Johnson explained. Looking ahead, Johnson expressed her excitement for challenging roles, mentioning a desire to play a psychopath or take on an action role in the future. Johnson also reflected on her film career, which began at age 10 in Crazy in Alabama and has spanned several notable films, including The Social Network (2010), Persuasion (2022), and her upcoming film Verity with Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett. At the festival, Johnson was honored with the KVIFF President's Award before a screening of Materialists, directed by Celine Song, where she stars alongside Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. Johnson's multifaceted approach to her career, from producing and directing to acting, underscores her ambition to shape her own path in Hollywood.
New York Post
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Michael Douglas reveals why he has ‘no real intentions' of returning to acting
Michael Douglas is enjoying his time away from Hollywood. The Oscar winner, 80, spoke at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic on Saturday and confirmed he has current no plans to act again. 'I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realized I had to stop,' he said, per Variety. 'I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set.' Advertisement 8 Michael Douglas attends the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on July 5. AFP via Getty Images 'I have no real intentions of going back,' Douglas continued. 'I say I'm not retired because if something special came up, I'd go back, but otherwise, no.' 8 Michael Douglas during the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Advertisement 8 Michael Douglas spoke about the future of his acting career at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Douglas last acted as Benjamin Franklin in the 2024 Apple TV+ miniseries 'Franklin.' The 'One Who Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest' producer also spoke about how his throat cancer diagnosis impacted his acting career. 'Stage 4 cancer is not a holiday, but there aren't many choices, are there?,' he said. 'I went with the program, involving chemo and radiation, and was fortunate. The surgery would have meant not being able to talk and removing part of my jaw and that would have been limiting as an actor.' Advertisement 8 Michael Douglas in 'The Streets of San Francisco' Season 2 in 1973. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 8 Michael Douglas on the set of the 1978 medical movie 'Coma.' Corbis via Getty Images Douglas added that he has 'one little independent movie' that he's 'trying to get a good script out of,' but 'in the spirit of maintaining a good marriage' he's 'happy to play the wife' to his spouse Catherine Zeta-Jones for the time being. In May, Douglas, who runs the independent production Further Films, told Deadline that he doesn't miss being in front of the camera. Advertisement 8 Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. michaelkirkdouglas/Instagram 'I'm enjoying my hiatus and enjoying my life,' he shared. 'It was overwhelming running the production company and acting at the same time.' 'If something good comes up that I really like. But I don't feel a burning desire,' Douglas added of returning to acting. 'I'm still producing. I still love bringing people together.' 8 Glenn Close and Michael Douglas on the set of 1987's 'Fatal Attraction.' Corbis via Getty Images Douglas also shut down the possibility of doing another Marvel movie after starring as Hank Pym in the 'Ant-Man' trilogy and 'Avengers: Endgame.' 'I don't think so. I had the experience, and I was excited to do it,' Douglas stated. 'I'd never done a green screen picture before.' 8 Michael Douglas arrives at the 2025 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Ceská editoriální fotografie/Profimedia/Shutterstock Zeta-Jones, whom Douglas has been married to since 2000, confirmed last year she was stepping away from mainstream Hollywood and instead focusing on indie projects. Advertisement 'I want to turn up. I want to do some interesting work,' the 55-year-old 'Wednesday' star said at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 't goes back to my theater thinking, because I don't feel I have to prove anything to anybody,' she added. 'I don't have to work hard for other people.'
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dakota Johnson, Stellan Skarsgård among stars honoured at Karlovy Vary Film Festival
The 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is shaping up to be one of its most star-studded editions yet, with Hollywood names like Dakota Johnson, Stellan Skarsgård, Vicky Krieps, and Peter Sarsgaard set to be honoured. The Czech festival, which runs from July 4 to 12, also promises a diverse slate of international films, premieres, and special guests. Skarsgård will receive the Crystal Globe for his contribution to world cinema. The Swedish actor is expected to present Sentimental Value, his latest film with director Joachim Trier, fresh off its Grand Prix win at Cannes. Known for The Simple-Minded Murderer and The Ox, Skarsgård remains one of Europe's most respected performers. At the opening ceremony, KVIFF President's Awards will also be handed to Krieps and Sarsgaard. Krieps will present Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave Cambet, while Sarsgaard's honor comes alongside a screening of Shattered Glass. He also recently wrapped The Bride!, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and co-starring Christian Bale. Dakota Johnson will attend on July 6 to accept her award and showcase two new films: Splitsville and Materialists. Festival organisers praised her for continuing her family's acting legacy, with roots tracing back to her grandmother Tippi Hedren and parents Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. Other high-profile guests include Camille Cottin with Out of Love, Max Walker-Silverman returning with Rebuilding, and Jay Duplass premiering his comedy The Baltimorons. Oscar-winner Mstyslav Chernov will present 2000 Metres to Andriivka, while Sergei Loznitsa brings Two Prosecutors, fresh from Cannes.
