Celebrate freedom with movie nights on KVIFF.TV

Last weekend, we just celebrated the restoration of freedom and democracy in our country. On this occasion, we have chosen some films on KVIFF.TV that celebrate freedom, though perhaps not in ways you might expect. We have chosen four films with four different takes on the subject of freedom. In these films, the freedom to decide often requires boldness and courage, for it may clash with established conventions or tradition. 

INDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIPS: HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Jana Počtová’s two-year-old documentary takes a very open look at five contemporary relationships, none of which could be called a conventional monogamous union of a man and a woman. The partners in these relationship grant each other freedom – be it through polyamory, an open relationship involving outside affairs, or non-committal relationships. One of the film’s protagonists enjoys encounters with dozens of men she meets through singles ads. But all freedom has its limits. In a polyamorous relationship, one person might suddenly feel sidelined, and constantly changing sexual relationships can lead to a kind of addiction – to online dating or to a partner who only pays attention to you a few days each month. Even in the most traditional of the film’s relationships involving two practicing Catholics, not everything goes according to plan. What decisions do people make, and how will the various relationships continue to evolve?

NO MORE SHACKLES: DJANGO UNCHAINED

Director Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 classic, which combines elements of an action western involving plenty of blood and gunplay with a romantic story, won countless awards. The story is set in Texas in 1858, during the slave era two years before the Civil War. From its very first scene – a truly emotional moment of freedom in which recently freed slaves cast off their shackles and their robes – Django Unchained takes us on a bold, wild journey of righteous vengeance with the ultimate goal: to free a beloved wife from the hands of a slaveholder. This adventurous ride is full of distinctive characters and excellent performances by Christopher Waltz, Jamie Foxx, Leonard di Caprio, and Samuel L. Jackson. And all of it featuring excellent cinematography and dynamic music. 

A CLEANSING RELIEF: SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD

Anna Hints won the World Cinema Documentary Directing Award at Sundance for her 2023 documentary look at a purely women’s affair that every man should see. The Estonian smoke sauna is an ancient tradition that has even been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a place where women come for cleansing, relaxation, and beautification. Naturally, they are completely naked – and not just physically. Showing one’s natural, imperfect body without shame brings a sense of relief in and of itself. The nakedness, the trusting presence of other women, and the sauna rituals feel almost otherworldly; they open the door to spiritual cleansing, the yearning to share and free oneself of deep traumas that can finally be let out into the light. To cry, to gather strength, and to start anew. Nature, as witnessed during the mystical cleansing bath, would seem to agree with these courageous women and their powerful magic and beautiful transformation.  

BREATHING FREE: HIT THE ROAD

A perhaps somewhat overlooked film, Iranian director Panah Panahi’s debut film, shown at the 55th KVIFF, is an unassuming yet all the more impressive cinematic treasure that has become an audience favorite at festivals around the world. Especially worth mentioning are its perfectly written dialogues and mesmerizing cinematography.

Our first impression is that we are watching an ordinary outing by a family with two children. The grumpy father has one leg in a cast, the older son is driving unsteadily, the younger son is misbehaving in the back seat, and the mother is trying to balance all these different energies – which only results in a lot of comical scenes. But their journey full of innocent conversations, jokes, and smiles is heading towards a disturbing final destination, one that we only learn about in small hints. What starts out as a classic road movie slowly reveals its urgent and tragic subtext, its message about a country where freedom often ends just outside the car windows. How to find a small space where one can breathe free in a society that tightens the noose around your neck every day?

FREEDOM OF CHOICE ON KVIFF.TV 

KVIFF.TV’s has many other films to choose from – our selection of more than 800 films spans a variety of genres. You can watch with a subscription (starting at CZK 142 per month) or through single purchases or rentals. We add dozens of new films every month, and KVIFF.TV features bonus content in the form of original shows and programs. A subscription also gives you access to special events during the Karlovy Vary film festival or to selected events at cinemas throughout the rest of the year.