Editor

The famous French film and theater actress will accept a Crystal Globe for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema at the 44th Karlovy Vary IFF.
One of the most accomplished personalities of European film and the holder of more than 30 acting awards will be present at the premiere screening of the French competition film in which she stars: Villa Amalia by director Benoît Jacquot. In addition, festival viewers will have an opportunity to see an example of Isabelle Huppert’s acting mastery in the intimist drama Gabrielle, to be presented as part of the Tribute to Patrice Chéreau.

Film and theater actor, director, and producer Antonio Banderas will be a guest at the 44th Karlovy Vary IFF, where he will accept the Festival President’s Award.

Antonio Banderas was born in Málaga, Spain. He wanted to become a professional soccer player but after being injured he decided on an acting career. He graduated from the School of Dramatic Art in his hometown, then moved to Madrid at age 19 and joined the National Theater of Spain, where he worked until 1986. He became one of director Pedro Almodóvar’s key actors, shining in the films Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios, 1988) and Tie Me up! Tie Me down! (Atame!, 1990). Such films aided him in getting his first English-speaking film role, as a Cuban musician in The Mambo Kings (dir. Arne Glimcher).
Hollywood soon cast him in films by renowned directors, such as The House of the Spirits (dir. Bille August), Interview with the Vampire (dir. Neil Jordan), and Philadelphia (dir. Jonathan Demme), in which he played the partner of the main character portrayed by Tom Hanks. His first “American” starring role came from Robert Rodriguez in the cult action romance movie Desperado. His part in the musical Evita (dir. Alan Parker) earned him his first Golden Globe nomination. In 1998 he appeared alongside Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the box office hit The Mask of Zorro (dir. Martin Campbell), and was once again nominated for a Golden Globe. Audience success led to a reprise role as the legendary outlaw in 2005. A part in the made-for-TV movie And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself (dir. Bruce Beresford) brought him his third Golden Globe nomination and an Emmy Award. Successful cooperation between Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez continued with the comedy Four Rooms (1995), the action comedy trilogy Spy Kids (2001-03), and a loose continuation of the famed Desperado entitled Once Upon a Time in Mexico. He has also earned acclaim for lending his voice to the animated character Puss in Boots in the successful Shrek series.
He will next star in The Untitled Woody Allen Project as part of an all star cast which also includes Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin and Freida Pinto.
As a director he debuted in 1999 with the black comedy Crazy in Alabama, screened in the competition at the Venice IFF, in which he entrusted the lead to his wife, actress Melanie Griffith. In addition to directing, he also produces for Green Moon, a production company he owns with his wife. At the 44th Karlovy Vary IFF Antonio Banderas will present his directorial work Summer Rain (El camino de los ingleses), which took the Europa Cinemas Label Award at the 2007 Berlinale.