Czech actor and TV presenter Marek Eben is a household name in his homeland, and not only because he has long appeared as host of the Czech version of the show. Dancing with the stars.
Foreign visitors to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) will also recognize him as the host of the famous opening and closing ceremonies, making him one of the public faces of KVIFF.
This year, the festival in the Czech spa town, which has unveiled a geographically diverse lineup, celebrates its 60th anniversary in its 80th year. Naturally, Eben will be ready to lead the much-anticipated opening night. As it turns out, he has his own anniversary to celebrate in this year’s edition.
Before all the activities, celebrations, star appearances and shows in Karlovy Vary, THR The Czech celebrity asked how the late legendary Czech actor and longtime festival president Jiri Bartoska, who died last May, brought him to the festival and about his starring roles at KVIFF and beyond.
When did you start hosting KVIFF celebrations and events, and how/why did you get involved with the festival?
I started working at the festival so many years ago that this year will be my 30th tour. I was approached by Jerry Bartoska. We knew each other before; We shot something together, but more importantly we lived in the same building. So, I received an offer to participate in this adventure, and I was completely blown away. After all, it was shortly after the Velvet Revolution.
Under the totalitarian regime, only Eastern Bloc stars visited us at most, and now they are real Hollywood stars. In my first year, I had the opportunity to interview Gregory Peck; I wouldn’t have thought of that even in my wildest dreams.
I read that you have the nickname “Mr. Nice Czech” and that this has to do with your polite interview style. How do you feel about this title, and do you remember how this title started?
You surprised me there. Do people really call me that? Honestly, this is the first time I’ve heard this, but I suppose I have a reputation as a host who doesn’t go after his guests’ throats. And to tell you the truth, I’d be happy to have it. Because if there’s one thing I find disgusting, it’s inviting someone to an interview and then making them sweat — that goes against my nature.
From a journalistic perspective, this may not be true, but for me, the interviewee is still my guest. When you invite someone to your home, you don’t ask them how much they earn or why they got divorced multiple times either.
In addition to serving as host of KVIFF, you also host the Czech version of Dancing with the stars. Is this or KVIFF more stressful for the host, and why?
Well, on my list of biggest stressors, Star Dance – as it’s called here – is definitely number one, and the festival takes the silver. Star Dance It is a very popular and highly rated show in our country, and this always reaches you one way or another. I’ve been doing this for 20 years now. I thought the situation would improve over the years, but it didn’t; If anything, it gets worse because the audience expects more from you.
On the other hand, KVIFF has a larger live audience. There are about 1,500 people at the opening ceremony, including many colleagues and acquaintances of interest. And when you look out into the crowd and see Michael Douglas, or Johnny Depp, or Michael Caine sitting there, it doesn’t exactly add to your peace of mind.
I read that you host the talk show as well On the floor (In the pool), where interviews with international stars are conducted. Who are some stars or big names that you’ve never met at KVIFF or been on your show before, and who would you love to chat with and why?
I’ve been very lucky – when it comes to guests on my show – I’ve had the opportunity to welcome far more great personalities than I could have ever imagined. This applies to all types of professions. If someone had told me my guests would be the Dalai Lama, Bill Gates, William Styron, or Quincy Jones, I probably would have asked them what kind of stuff they smoke.
But if I could still wish for someone, it would probably be Bob Dylan or Woody Allen. But you know how it goes – a wise man once said that the worst thing that can happen to you is for your dreams to come true. I’m not sure if these two mysterious beings would make good interview partners.
I heard you also played in a band. Can you tell us about your music business or career, the name of your band and what music you produce or make? What instrument do you play, and do you sing as well?
Our band is called The Eben Brothers because it’s actually partly a family affair. I have two brothers, and we’ve been playing together for about 45 years. We have released six albums that have won five Anděl Awards, the Czech equivalent of the American Grammy Award. We play original material. I write all the music and lyrics, and I have to sing it all because no one wants to do that. I play a little bit of guitar and piano, but fortunately, we have other great musicians in the band who can do it much better than me, so I mostly focus on just singing.
Given your role at KVIFF and your television work, have you acted in any films and what roles have you played?
I originally studied acting and spent half my life in different theatres. I’ve filmed some stuff for TV. The first was a children’s television series. I was 12 years old, and I played a fat, clumsy kid, which meant you couldn’t cast any girl in the role. But my entire generation grew up on it. I wish I could get rid of this role, but people still remind me of it.
Other than that, my film career is focused on one scene in some detective film, where I play a character that doesn’t even have a name.
