International Film Festival For Children And Youth Zlin

JOURNEY TO THE BEGINNING OF TIME (1955, Karel Zeman)

The eyes of the film industry are pointing east this week as the Zlin Film Festival kicks off its 50th anniversary celebrations in the UNESCO heritage city in the Moravia district of eastern Czech Republic. A mix of filmmmakers, programmers, distributors, critics and journalists have come from Europe, North America, Asia and beyond to participate in this year's event, the largest devoted to children and youth cinema (with many adult elements as well).

Festivities actually began on Friday in Prague as a prelude to this year's grand anniversary. In the famed historic city and capital of the Czech Republic, Friday was declared "Karel Zeman Day", in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czech film's most famous animator and illustrator. The event took place in the Palace Cinemas multiplex of Nový Smíchov before an audience made up of mostly children. Highlights of the event included a talk by film historian Pavel Taussig and a presentation of the actors who played the young boys in Zeman's famed 1955 fantasy film JOURNEY TO THE BEGINNING OF TIME. The film classic itself was screened, as well as a documentary film KAREL ZEMAN, a biography of his celebrated career.

Christopher Lee

Things began in earnest 120 miles to the east of Prague in the city of Zlin on this rainy yet festive Sunday. Kicking off the party was a special presentation of the event TRAVELING THE FILM WORLD WITH EGMONT, held at the ZOO Lešná. Today's screening schedule includes 24 films, including an encore showing of JOURNEY TO THE BEGINNING OF TIME, the presentation of the award-winning Czech film PROTECTOR by Marek Najbrt and a special screening of the Tim Burton family classic CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, with a special appearance by veteran British actor Christopher Lee (whose memorable portrayal as the father of Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka character was just one achievement in a 60 year career that has ithe run the gamut from Shakespeare to Hammer Films horror movies). Mr. Lee, best remembered for his recurring role as Dracula in horror films of the 1950s and 1960s, will give a Master Class on Monday at Thomas Bata University, drawing on his legacy of film and stage acting.

SWIMMING (Karel Zeman)

Monday promises to be an exceptionally busy day at the Festival, with such special events as the unveiling of the bust of Karel Zeman and the opening of the art exhibition The Film Magician Karel Zeman, direct from its presentations in New York, Berlin and Prague; the Opening Night Gala screening of the American rock n roll drama THE PERFECT AGE OF ROCK N ROLL, with writer/director Scott Rosenbaum in attendance, followed by a spectacular fireworks display and an after-party at the Interhotel Moskva.

Come back to this Dailies site between now and Sunday, June 6 for all the news, the events, the excitement of the Zlin Film Festival or visit the Festival's own website (www.zlinfest.cz) for complete details on the premieres and special programs planned for this year's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor