Actor Jeffrey Wright (American fantasy, Western world, Batman) celebrated the importance of “true freedom” in the United States and abroad during a brief public appearance to a standing ovation at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Friday.
In honor of Wright, the Czech festival is showing the film Basquiat (1996) about the American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, “whom he personally presented at the 32nd Karlovy Vary Festival,” as highlighted by the organizers. At the festival’s closing ceremony on Saturday night, the actor, whom they praised as “one of the most versatile artists of his generation,” will receive the KVIFF President’s Award.
Celebrating the life of Jean-Michel Basquiat is essential, the star said before the film’s screening. “I think what it represents is many things. But at its core, it represents the power of freedom, the power of creativity, the power of honestly being yourself and expressing that,” Wright said.
“He’s an American artist who I think speaks to the core of what America wants to be — that is a beacon of freedom, of real freedom, not superficial freedom, not hypocritical freedom, but freedom to realize who you are, whoever you are.”
Noting that Basquiat was the “son of immigrants,” Wright said, “His story wasn’t well known before this film was released, so I’m really grateful to have played a role in bringing his work and part of his life to a broader audience. Bringing the film here also speaks to another power that I think is so essential now, which is the power of storytelling. It’s something like the idea of true freedom that we take for granted now.”
And follow that Basquiat “It invites people from all over the world to connect with its humanity in a way that connects us. The more I believe now that we can find those opportunities to find community, to express our shared humanity together, the more we need to seize it. And there is no greater vehicle than film to achieve that. Expressing our humanity together and celebrating this idea of freedom…is needed not just in America but around the world now,” Wright concluded.
The actor has won a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award, in addition to being nominated for an Academy Award.
This year’s double anniversary edition of KVIFF brought a parade of stars to the picturesque spa town, including Jesse Eisenberg (Social network, Real pain), Juliette Binoche (The English Patient, Three colors: blue, In I am in motion), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Bride!, Missing daughter), Harvey Keitel (I mean the streets, Reservoir dogs), legendary cinematographer Robert Richardson and Dustin Hoffman (The graduate, rain man).
