Dakota Johnson, known for her roles in Fifty Shades of Grey, Black Mass, and Suspiria, was celebrated at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) this past Saturday. The audience at the festival warmly applauded the Hollywood star as she received one of the prestigious honors from the Czech festival.
On a delightful summer evening during the third day of KVIFF’s 59th edition, the charming spa town buzzed with activity. Festival-goers hurried between film screenings, enjoyed live music, and dined at outdoor restaurants and bars. Inside the Grandhotel Pupp cinema—a location familiar to James Bond fans as the Montenegro hotel featured in Casino Royale—Johnson took the stage to accept the KVIFF President’s Award just before the screening of her latest film, Materialists. Directed by Celine Song and featuring stars like Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, the film generated excitement among attendees.
The audience expressed their admiration with enthusiastic applause and eager camera flashes as Johnson received the award statuette. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she praised Celine Song, referring to her as “probably the best filmmaker of our time.” As Johnson exited the stage to cheers, anticipation for Materialists filled the air.
But that wasn’t all Johnson had to offer at KVIFF. Later that evening, she presented the romantic comedy Splitsville, directed by Michael Angelo Covino, which she also produced under her TeaTime Pictures banner. Johnson shared her hope that these films would inspire audiences to reflect on love and interpersonal relationships.
Earlier in the day, she spoke to reporters about her aspirations to direct her first feature soon, emphasizing her commitment to telling female-centric stories through TeaTime Pictures. She expressed her desire to avoid "toxic sets" and to gauge a film’s success by its impact on viewers rather than its box office performance. Additionally, Johnson revealed her interest in portraying a psychopath in a future role.
Overflowing with gratitude for her invitation to the festival, she remarked, “This looks like Disneyland. It’s crazy here. It’s so beautiful,” highlighting the picturesque scenery of Karlovy Vary. KVIFF runs until July 12, promising more exciting events and screenings in this enchanting setting.
