The 57th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival kicked off in grand style with free opening concerts by Russell Crowe and British electronic music band Morcheeba. The festival, held in the picturesque Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary, was set ablaze with performances that had the crowds rocking and grooving in front of the iconic Hotel Thermal.
Morcheeba fans flocked to the square in the early evening, undeterred by the rain, to cheer and dance to hits like “The Sea” and “Trigger Hippie.” Their energetic performance set the tone for a night of celebration and partying.
Following Morcheeba’s electrifying set, anticipation built for the late music act featuring Russell Crowe. Just before 11 p.m., the Oscar-winning actor took the stage to a rousing reception, drink cup in hand. Earlier in the evening, Crowe received the Crystal Globe for his outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.
Crowe, known for his engaging personality, interacted with the crowd throughout the night. He expressed his admiration for the people of Karlovy Vary, calling them fantastic and amazing. He also shared insights into his songwriting process, highlighting the complexity of his emotions and experiences that inspire his music.
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As an example, he introduced the song “Southampton” and humorously explained how it came about after an awkward encounter with a woman. Crowe’s ability to connect with the audience was further demonstrated when he invited Lorraine O’Reilly and his son Charles to join him on stage, eliciting applause and cheers from the crowd.
In between songs, Crowe entertained the audience with anecdotes from his acting career. He recounted a memorable experience while filming the movie “Rough Magic,” involving a tarantula crawling up his naked body. Crowe humorously shared how he woke up with a rash after the tarantula ejected venomous hairs onto him, proclaiming himself as the only Academy Award winner to have been “f*cked in the neck by a tarantula.”
Crowe also shared the story of how he came to be involved in the film, mentioning his meeting with director Bernardo Bertolucci and his wife, Clare Peploe. The actor recounted their conversation, including an amusing moment when Bernardo preferred to watch football instead of discussing the film. Ultimately, Crowe decided to take on the project after reading the script and setting aside any discomfort he had with certain scenes.
After bidding farewell to Karlovy Vary, Crowe left the stage to the chants of “Maximus!”—a reference to his iconic character in the film “Gladiator.” The band continued to perform, delighting the crowd with more songs until 12:40 a.m., followed by a fireworks display.
Russell Crowe has been making music since the 1980s, with his first solo single titled “I Want to Be Like Marlon Brando.” He has collaborated with various musicians and bands over the years, including Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts and Indoor Garden Party. The latter is a musical collective formed with Canadian musician Alan Doyle.
Morcheeba, consisting of Skye Edwards and Ross Godfrey, has a strong presence in the Czech Republic and has performed there on multiple occasions. Their latest album, “Blackest Blue,” was premiered during a Czech online-only concert in 2021, showcasing the band’s enduring popularity.
The Karlovy Vary film festival will continue until July 8, offering a diverse lineup of films and events for cinema enthusiasts to enjoy.
