From June 29 to July 7, 2012, in the famous Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary, the 47th International Film Festival was held, one of the largest annual film forums in category A. This is the largest event for filmmakers around the world, participation in which is prestigious and honorable. Unfortunately, this year the jury of the festival did not select any of the domestic films for screening, so there were no representatives of Russia among the more than 220 works that participated in the competition.
The guest of the 47th Karlovy Vary Film Festival was the famous American actress Suezen Sarandon, who was awarded the "Crystal Globe" - the honorary prize of the film festival for her outstanding contribution to world cinema. The same award was awarded in absentia to the Englishwoman Helen Mirror. The festival was also attended by Todd Solondz, who directed the films "Welcome to the Dollhouse" and "Happiness", which were awarded at the Sundance and Cannes festivals. In Karlovy Vary, he brought his new film "Black Horse", which has already been nominated at the Venice Film Forum.
The main prize of the festival was received by the creator of the film "Almost a Man", Norwegian director Martin Lunda. The film tells about a thirty-five-year-old man who, due to circumstances, is just beginning to realize his responsibility for those who are next to him. A special prize went to Marco Tullio Giordana's film Piazza Fontana: The Italian Conspiracy.
At the 47th Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Canadian Rafael Ulle was named the best director. He presented the jury and the audience with the film "Truck" - a dramatic story about a truck driver who is experiencing pangs of conscience and stress after an accident that occurred due to his fault, which resulted in the death of a woman.
According to the results of the main competition program, the prize as the best actress was awarded to Irishwoman Leyla Khatami, who played in the film "The Last Step". The best male actors were the Norwegian Henrik Rafaelsen ("Truck") and the Pole Erik Lubos ("Kill the Beaver").
The festival brought success to Ukrainian filmmakers. In the competition program "East of the West" the main prize was awarded to the film "House with turrets" by Ukrainian director Eva Neiman. The Lithuanian film Aurora, directed by the director's duet Kristina Buožyte and Bruno Sampler, deserved a special mention by the jury.
Bulgarian director Ilian Metev won the documentary nomination for the film The Last Ambulance of Sofia.
