Special Events

A television crew headed by British journalist Terry follows the election campaign of country singer Bob Roberts as he vies for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Tim Robbins’s satirical mockumentary is a brilliant study of populism, media manipulation and political tactics that are not afraid to stoop to the lowest and dirtiest tricks.

Rosťa Novák, the face of Cirk La Putyka, has decided to train for a performance with a Rwandan troupe of acrobats. But can they get on together, two teams that are used to such different work tempos and styles? A unique documentary that takes a peek behind the scenes of the thrilling show Hit, Tell the Difference from Prague’s Letní Letná festival.

In New York in the late 1930s, when America is haunted by the spectre of communism and workers’ unrest, Orson Welles tries to put on a leftist musical on Broadway, but the production is eventually banned by the authorities. The history of the controversial play is just one part of this story about the inevitable conflict between politics and art.

After the success of the first two seasons of its popular series “Therapy,” HBO Europe returns with another 36 episodes. The excellent Karel Roden once again stars as therapist Marek Pošta, whose clients visit him to resolve personal problems, difficulties at work, and issues in their relationships. KVIFF presents an exclusive pre-premiere of two episodes as part of its HBO Exclusive.

The first feature-length documentary about the rise of skateboarding in Czechoslovakia presents a gripping tale of the search for freedom in a society stifled by the communist regime. Unique archive shots set to a driving punk soundtrack introduce us to the cult masters of the board and their never-ending party ride through the grey days of Normalization.

Back in the day viewers throughout Europe and probably elsewhere became intrigued by an insignificant young trainee from a small Czech town. And this thanks to Miloš Forman, who rendered his tale of innocent Andula and her emotional disenchantment in an innovative way, suggesting to the audience that they are direct observers of her ordinary yet still remarkable and universal story.

Al Pacino stars as the beloved coach, a legend of American football. The end of his incredibly successful career, however, was marred by a scandal involving the sexual abuse of boys: for years multiple accomplices looked the other way until Paterno’s colleague Jerry Sandusky was finally convicted. Celebrated filmmaker Barry Levinson (Rain Man, Wag the Dog) vividly transfers the case to the big screen.

The $3 million inheritance his father left is a sufficient reason for Charlie to kidnap his autistic brother from the institute where he lives. But by the time their journey across the United States comes to an end Charlie has gained something more valuable than money. Portraying mentally challenged Raymond, the excellent Dustin Hoffman took one of four Academy Awards conferred upon the film, which also won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale.

Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson star in a quasi-futuristic Western set in an era following an economic collapse in which people are left with almost nothing. But when they steal the last things former soldier Eric has to his name, he decides not to take it anymore. Prior to its successful domestic release in Australia, the picture was presented in the program of the Cannes festival.

In this depiction of a generational conflict of values, the film’s title symbolically conveys many of the characters’ frame of mind. The father, a one-time communist of Stalinist bent, is trying to find a way to excuse his past. The son, affected by his dad’s moral failings and with his soul in disarray, is endeavouring to choose the right way to live his life, as are the three youngsters he encounters when he runs away from home.

An exclusive pre-premiere of the first episode of HBO’s long-awaited series “Sharp Objects.” Journalist Camille Preaker returns to her hometown in order to report on the murder of two girls, and the more she delves into the story, the deeper she falls into her own past. The series, which was based on the eponymous bestseller by novelist Gillian Flynn, will be shown as part of the festival’s HBO Exclusive.

Downcast Bertrand is suffering a midlife crisis. When he answers an ad placed by a group looking for a new member for their male synchronised swimming team (we’re talking aquabeaux here), he has no idea that the amateur squad will not only bring him new friends but also a new lease of life. A comedy about holding your breath for as long as it takes to ensure life goes swimmingly.

Barry Levinson has a rich and remarkable filmography covering a variety of genres, with several titles rightfully claiming a place in the history of cinema. After Rain Man, the primary contender is the scintillating satire Wag the Dog, aimed at both sides of the equation: those who quite literally fabricate political causes to order and those who willingly gobble them up.