51st edition film fest opens at Czech spa town, honours Dafoe

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – The western Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary is kicking off its annual international film festival with an award for U.S. actor Willem Dafoe.

Dafoe is honoured for his outstanding contributions to world cinema on the opening night at the 51st edition of the fest on Friday.

His movies “Pasolini” and “The Last Temptation of Christ” will be screened during the event which runs through July 9.

U.S. Oscar winning screenwriter, director and producer Charlie Kaufman and French actor Jean Reno will both be honoured by the festival’s president award.

The festival’s grand jury — which includes Italian novelist and screenwriter Maurizio Braucci; Eve Gabereau, managing director of film distributor Soda Pictures; and American producer Jay Van Hoy — will consider 12 movies for the top prize, the Crystal Globe.

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