Latest news with #Mucha
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Karlovy Vary's Krystof Mucha on Continuing the Legacy of Jiri Bartoska
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) may have lost a key figurehead due to the May death of legendary Czech actor and long-time fest president Jiří Bartoška. But its leadership and majority owner, Rockaway Arts, have vowed to 'preserve the values and level of quality that its president built up over the years.' Rockaway recently lauded the 'strong and stable team headed by executive director Kryštof Mucha, saying: 'The position of president will not be filled and will remain dedicated to Jiří Bartoška in memoriam.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Marcel Barelli to Get Locarno Kids Award, Annecy Winner 'Arco' to Screen at Fest Keanu Reeves to Host, Exec Produce Docuseries on the Birth of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team in the U.S. CNN's Fred Pleitgen on Reporting From Iran and What the Media Narrative Doesn't Capture Mucha, who joined the festival team in 1997 and has been its executive director since 2004, has also become chairman of the board of the KVIFF Group. Remaining on the festival's management team are artistic director Karel Och and head of production Petr Lintimer. 'For many years, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Jiří Bartoška and to see how he thought and where he was taking the festival,' Mucha said after his promotion. 'I believe that, together with Karel Och and Petr Lintimer, we will succeed in continuing his legacy.' Ahead of this year's 59th edition of KVIFF, THR caught up with Mucha to discuss the legacy of Bartoška, how the festival's duties are now being divided up, its focus on continuity along with some new accents, and more. 'Mr. Bartoška was the biggest TV and film star in the '80s, and then a very important figure for the revolution in 1989 [that led to the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia] and very well connected to people like Miloš Forman and others,' Mucha tells THR. The executive worked closely with the legendary actor and festival president from 2000, 2001 and even more so once Mucha became executive director in 2004. 'He was focused on the positioning of the film festival in terms of the Czech environment, developing and bringing sponsors into the festival, support from the government, and from the city of Karlovy Vary,' he explains. 'He was the key person for all that. When he passed, I replaced him, but we said we are not going to have the festival president position anymore. That was the way he was running the film festival, and we felt that this was the right position for him, because as president, he was such a big figure.' That's why the fest has organized a tribute to Bartoška this year, with the fest's opening film We've Got to Frame It! (A Conversation With Jiří Bartoška in July 2021), along with screenings of an older film starring the legend, and an exhibition of large-scale photographs featuring him. 'It is a celebration of what this incredible person achieved,' says Mucha. 'It's not about one person, it's about a team,' adds Mucha of his working relationship with Och and Lintimer. 'We feel that's how it should be right now.' How will Mucha's role at the festival change? 'Jiří Bartoška was the one who was representing the festival and meeting the stars and other guests of the festival, but also when politicians came and important figures in this country. He was very natural at that and spent time with them,' he noted. 'That work is going to be quite a difference for me. Karel and I will do more of those things together. For example, when we have a guest getting an award, we will be the ones handing it to them.' Meanwhile, 'Petr, as the director of production, will be with me at events for the sponsors. So we will try to share these duties among us.' Having Mucha and Och attending big festivals, such as Cannes and Sundance, also has key benefits. 'Being there together means we can make decisions immediately. And it's great that you can have the artistic director and executive director doing these things together.' Evolution rather than revolution is what Mucha sees ahead for KVIFF. One such evolution is a recently unveiled tweaking of the industry program of the fest, which is adding a day this year, launching 'a sharpened focus on Central European co-production opportunities in an updated showcase format' called KVIFF Central Stage, and introducing a series incubator. 'Things are changing very fast in this industry,' says Mucha. 'We previously had a works-in-progress program. These days, it's different because right now, every single significant project already has sales, and people know about it.' A focus on co-production opportunities across Eastern and Central European countries, including Germany and Austria, seemed a natural fit. 'That's the territory where we feel we are a key player and want to be focused on this. It's something that could really be beneficial for all of us.' TV is also playing an expanded role this year, including the world premiere of Serbian miniseries Absolute 100 in the fest's Special Screenings section. Plus, Central European Media Enterprises (CME), which owns television businesses in Central and Eastern Europe, approached KVIFF about a possible broader collaboration in the industry program. 'So we talked about film and TV and decided this was a great time to start something new,' says Mucha. The result is the new Pop-Up Series Incubator featuring five original European series ideas. 'We are not going to be changing the program focus of the festival to TV,' highlights Mucha. 'But if there is a quality movie coming from TV, we would love to screen it. There are no limits for us. So, again, it's natural. This is something new happening for the first time, and we hope that it is going to work and that it is going to have benefits. If these things work, perfect. We can then develop these things more.' All in all, Mucha says the troika in charge of KVIFF is experienced and ready to carry on the legacy of Bartoška while also continuing to innovate. Says Mucha: 'He was the one who often stood up front and dealt with the media and public. We were working together and with him, but more behind him. But we have been a significant part of the team for many, many years. So if people still feel that the festival will be hard to organize, I think that is to our advantage. People will see in Karlovy Vary that it will still look the same, but we will also remember Jiří Bartoška the right way. And it's going to be in a positive way.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best 13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kelsey Grammer Boards ‘Hell Ride'; Karlovy Vary Names Chair; Tarf Enters Theatrical Distribution; ITV Soap Boss Retiring
Kelsey Grammer To Lead Theme Park Thriller 'Hell Ride' From Frasier to rollercoaster. Kelsey Grammer will lead Hell Ride, an upcoming theme park thriller from Altitude. Directed by Magnus Martens (SAS: Red Notice) and written by Altitude joint CEO Andy Mayson (No Way Up), the film is billed as a 'white-knuckle survival thriller' that follows a group of high school seniors who break into an abandoned theme park for one final wild night, only to find their night spiralling into a nightmare. Mayson, Molly Conners (Triple 9) and Amanda Bowers (Riff Raff) are producing and Altitude is introducing it to buyers in Cannes. Pic reunites Grammer with part of the creative team he worked with at another upcoming thriller, Turbulence, and some of the VFX team from that pic and No Way Up will work on Hell Ride as well. Grammer is represented by UTA and Vault Entertainment. More from Deadline ITV For Sale: Behind The Headlines Of A Deal That Everyone And No One Is Talking About Samuel L. Jackson, Eva Green & Maria Pedraza To Star In Thriller 'Just Play Dead' - Cannes Market Elizabeth Olsen Joins Kristen Stewart & Oscar Isaac In Hedonistic '80s Vampire Thriller 'Flesh Of The Gods' - Cannes Market Krystof Mucha Named Karlovy Vary Film Fest Chair Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) has named Kryštof Mucha as its Chairman, and will leave the President position the late Jiří Bartoška held in memoriam. Bartoška passed away earlier this month aged 78. Mucha, who joined KVIFF in 1997, has been its Executive Director since 2004. 'Despite the very sad fact that the world of culture has lost one of its most important personalities, we want to assure the public that the Karlovy Vary festival will continue to possess the level of quality that Jiří Bartoška and his team have always given it,' said Jan Jírovec, Head of the Rockaway Arts group that majority owns KVIFF. Remaining on. Mucha's team will be Artistic Director Karel Och and Head of Production Petr Lintimer. 'For many years, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Jiří Bartoška and to see how he thought and where he was taking the festival,' said Mucha. 'I believe that, together with Karel Och and Petr Lintimer, we will succeed in continuing his legacy.' Tarf Media Pushes Into Irish Theatrical Distribution EXCLUSIVE: Ireland's Tarf Media is pushing into local theatrical distribution. The film sales company told Deadline it is now offering a 'complete end-to-end distribution package from theatrical in Ireland to international sales and streaming.' Tarf founder Eoghan Burke is working with Anna Lavery PR and Distribution to bring films to Irish cinemas, while continuing to act as a sales agent. Dublin-based Tarf is known for handling international rights on films such as Cocaine Werewolf and A Dickens of a Christmas. Before last year's Cannes, Tarf struck a partnership deal with Good Deed Entertainment. ITV Soap Supremo John Whiston Retiring John Whiston, the ITV exec who has overseen the UK network's flagship soaps, is retiring after 27 years. In his most recent role as Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, the long-serving exec has led editorially and commercially on Coronation Street and Emmerdale, both of which still command audiences of millions each evening. He also oversaw ITV series such as including Vera, A Touch of Frost and Heartbeat. At the end of the month, he will hand over to Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain MacLeod, who is upped to Creative Director and Matt Cleary, who becomes COO of Continuing Drama, which keeping his current post as Director of Production for UK Scripted at ITV Studios. MacLeod will report to ITV Studios Managing Director Julian Bellamy. Whiston said: 'I've always said I've got the best job in TV. I used to say it privately in case ITV stopped paying me. It has been nothing short of an honour, as well as a blast, to work on the Soaps this last decade or so. We've had joy, we've had fun and we've had seasons in the Sun. We've also had misery and mayhem. We've had motorway crashes, tram crashes and floods. We've had stories which have squeezed your heart till tears came out of your eyes. And we've covered pretty much anything and everything that people have to face in their own lives and we've done that with care and humanity. And all that is down to the 600 or so people – the writers, crew, cast and editorial – who have kept the show on air and at an incredible quality day in day out. And it's them who have made my job ridiculously easy. Just don't tell ITV.' Best of Deadline Everything We Know About The 'Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' Movie So Far TV Show Book Adaptations Arriving In 2025 So Far Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025
Global News
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Active fire season expected to bring more smoky skies across Manitoba
Eastern Manitoba is under an air quality warning due to smoke from the nearby wildfires, and smoke from blazes in Saskatchewan is being blown over northern Manitoba. It's early in the wildfire season, but Environment Canada meteorologist Natalie Hasell says conditions are only going to get worse. 'Based on our current forecasts, it would not surprise me if things remain difficult,' says Hasell. 'That the season is going to be pretty active looks pretty sure at this point.' Hasell says the wildfire risk will stay high throughout the summer, and increase across the prairies in August. Ryan Ness, director of adaptation research at the Canadian Climate Institute, says climate change has made active fire seasons and smoky skies the norm for our summers. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We're seeing those warmer, dryer winters,' says Ness. 'We're seeing less precipitation during the warmer seasons, we're seeing more lightning and thunderstorms even with the changing and warming climate.' Story continues below advertisement Seniors, young children, pregnant people, and people with heart or lung conditions are most susceptible to health complications due to wildfire smoke. They are advised to avoid strenuous activity outdoors when the air quality is poor. But Juliette Mucha, president and CEO of the Manitoba Lung Association, says even if you're healthy, the effects of smoke can catch up with you. 'You may not feel it now, or you may just have a little cough right now. But later on, years to come, days, weeks, that's where we can see the damage,' says Mucha. Mucha says breathing the fine particles in wildfire smoke can do damage equivalent to smoking several cigarettes. She advises keeping the air inside your home as clear as possible. 'Close your windows, and if you're able to, put your A/C on. If you have a fresh air intake, make sure that is off, recirculating just interior air.' She advises people who don't have air conditioning to go to a library or other public space that does. For those who do need to go outside in heavy smoke, an N-95 mask can filter out some of the harmful particles.
Associated Press
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Mucha Museum Unveils New Era at Historic Kaunický palác, Prague
PRAGUE, CZ / ACCESS Newswire / May 3, 2025 / The iconic Mucha Museum is proud to announce in the historic building of the Kaunický palác, Prague, has moved & reopened in its new grand venue in the Kaunický palác, Prague offering a transformation in payed of history of the celebration of Alfons Mucha, one of the most influential of the Art Nouveau artists and a symbol of national identity to the Czech people. Originally opened to the public in 1998, the museum is the first in the world entirely dedicated to the works of the much-acclaimed Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha - the collection includes everything from canvases to photographs, illustrations, designs, living, invocative documents, and much more. Citizens of Prague are very proud of this museum, formerly housed in a small and quaint setting, now in its new and very impressive home, which offers a dramatically expanded and re-imagined experience. 'This new home for the Mucha Museum at Kaunický palác, Prague, is more than a move - it is a bold redefinition of how we present Mucha's legacy to future generations,' said a museum spokesperson. 'It reflects the scale and spirit of the man whose work shaped not only an artistic era but a national identity.' Located in the center of Prague, the Kaunický palác offers a graceful and historic backdrop for the appreciation of Mucha's visionary work. Now, visitors can explore all new galleries with original works of art, personal artifacts, archival material, and engaging interactive exhibits showing the artist and the world he inhabited. New Museum Experience Highlights: Alfons Mucha (1860-1939) is known for his masterful art nouveau iconic poster designs that capture the essence of beauty advertising products - it's probably some of the most exquisite examples of advertising art ever seen. His paintings were an expression of culture and national pride, as well as a medium of political sentiment; nowhere is this more apparent than in The Slav Epic, a collection of large canvases that document the spiritual development of the Slav race. With the introduction of this beautiful setting within the confines of the Kaunický palác, Prague, visitors will be able to experience Mucha's work with greater intimacy and depth, and also experience the city of Prague through the eyes of an artist who helped give it a soul. About Mucha Museum - is the official online platform for the Alfons Mucha Museum and legacy. It offers access to exhibition details, tickets, digital archives, curated content, and exclusive merchandise, serving as the definitive source for Mucha enthusiasts worldwide. Media Contact Organisation: Muchovo muzeum s.r.o. Contact Person: Daniel Tanner Website: [email protected] SOURCE: Muchovo muzeum press release
Wall Street Journal
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘Timeless Mucha: The Magic of Line' Review: Free-Flowing Style at the Phillips Collection
Washington On Christmas Eve 1894, Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), a Czech junior designer working alone in a Parisian print shop, received a rush order from actress Sarah Bernhardt for a poster advertising her title role in the Greek-set melodrama 'Gismonda.' Mucha—inspired, he said, by Bernhardt's flowing gestures, the 'magic of her movements . . . a spiral principle'—set to work. Fusing Eastern and Greco-Roman influences, Mucha's life-size decorative portrait-poster—illustrated with golden mosaics, sinuous arabesques, flora and fauna—idealized and eroticized Bernhardt as a neoclassical goddess and Byzantine icon.
