KARLOVY VARY.– A month shy of turning 89, Dustin Hoffman stole the spotlight at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The actor, winner of two Oscars for Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man, received the Crystal Globe in a ceremony that blended glamour, humor, and nostalgia. “The pleasure of doing what we do is losing track of time,” he said while thanking for the award.
But what really sparked attention was his account of how he landed the lead role in The Graduate, Mike Nichols’ masterpiece. According to Hoffman, the casting process lasted nearly two years. “It almost came to the point of saying the film couldn’t be made,” he revealed. On the last day of auditions, Hoffman and Katherine Ross showed up. “If we had been in that place two years earlier, we wouldn’t have gotten the role,” the actor reflected, making it clear that fate played in his favor.
The occasion was the presentation of a restored copy of the 1967 classic, which dazzled attendees. Hoffman did not skimp on praise for Nichols, who died in 2014, and recalled the unique chemistry they achieved on set. The film, which marked a before and after in American cinema, remains a generational icon.
The ceremony, hosted by the charismatic Marek Eben, did not lose its humor. Eben joked about the early elimination of the Czech football team from the Euro Cup: “We deeply thank our team for their loyalty to the festival and their timely exit from the tournament.” Laughter ensued.
There was also a tribute to Jiri Bartoska, the late festival president for 31 editions. “He always wanted Dustin Hoffman to come,” Eben recalled, thus fulfilling the dream of someone who is no longer here. The evening included a medley of pop classics and the presentation of the Crystal Globe to director Maggie Gyllenhaal, who emotionally recalled her time in Czech theater.
Harvey Keitel also took center stage, presenting the award to cinematographer Robert Richardson. Keitel, who shared the screen with Robert De Niro in Mean Streets, received a warm recognition from the audience. Richardson, winner of three Oscars, presented a documentary about his career.
The festival, with sold-out tickets, showcases the best of world cinema. Competing from Latin America are Colombia’s Five Years, Four Months and Chile’s Behind the Rain. Argentina opened the event with The Match, which revives the historic encounter between Argentina and England in the 1986 World Cup, featuring the famous goals by Diego Maradona. A display of national passion that unites football and cinema.
para mi que hoffman es un capo total casi pierde el papel por un aborto jaja la industria es una mierda pero el la supo pelear mientras los actores de hoy ni se la bancan che viva la lucha de clases y el cine comprometido aguante hoffman el resto son vendidos
Para mí Hoffman es un capo total, se ganó el papel a los bifes, no como estos zurdos de mierda que lloran por cuotas. La meritocracia es la única, viva la libertad carajo. Me parece que los sensibles se tienen que joder, esto huele a progres que no entienden nada.