Douglas attended a celebratory screening of a restored print of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, marking the film’s 50th anniversary. The Czech-directed masterpiece, produced by Douglas and based on Ken Kesey’s novel set in a psychiatric institution, won five Oscars including Best Picture.
In his speech, Douglas thanked his late father Kirk Douglas for "exposing me to the book, buying its rights and staging it on Broadway in 1962." He added: "Years later, when he wanted to sell the rights, I convinced him to let me make the film. It’s a great honor that after 50 years, it’s still so loved."
The festival’s management surprised attendees by presenting Douglas with the award, replacing an "ugly, bulky statue" he received there in 1998. "It’s wonderful to return to the scene of the crime," Douglas quipped. "I’ve only been here three hours and already had duck and beer."
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to acclaimed actor Peter Sarsgaard (The Batman, Exposure). During his emotionally charged acceptance speech, Sarsgaard delivered a pointed political message: "As my country [the U.S.] retreats from global responsibility and tries to go it alone, it fragments internally—divided by politics, gender, sexuality, race, Jews split over the war.
“But with a common enemy, we cannot fight alone. Enemies are the forces that divide us. Collective action is the only way forward in art and our happiness." He concluded with a quote from Czech statesman Václav Havel: "One half of a room cannot remain forever warm while the other half is cold.”
Sarsgaard admitted he wrote the speech hours earlier, wanting to say something "meaningful and relevant" rather than thank industry figures. His remarks made headlines globally.
The Festival President’s Award went to Luxembourg-born actress Vicky Krieps (Hidden Threads, Bergman Island). In an improvised speech, she reflected: "I love film festivals. If not misused, films can cross borders and carry the strongest messages. They don’t ask for your passport, where you’re from, your money or if you’re cool."
Krieps, who left school early, added: "I was never cool… Films give us space to dream and hope. We must save them so they continue spreading love, peace and—most importantly—forgiveness."
The second, Yes by Nadav Lapid, sparked controversy and made waves when it screened at the latest Cannes Film Festival. The film follows a jazz musician who’s asked to compose a new national anthem after October 7.
Yes was recently included in IndieWire’s list of The 100 Best Movies of the Decade. It remains to be seen how both films will be received in Karlovy Vary—and whether they’ll face anti-Israel protests.
