Karlovy Vary’s cultural landscape will be enriched later this month as the fifth edition of Karlovy Vary Variations brings together cinema and classical music for a two-day program in the historic spa town. Running Nov. 21–22, the festival is a collaboration between the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and the Czech Philharmonic, combining exclusive film screenings with intimate concerts at some of the city’s most striking locations.
The festival’s program this year includes the Czech premieres of international films by celebrated directors Jim Jarmusch, Richard Linklater, and Paolo Sorrentino. These screenings are paired with classical performances at venues ranging from the Thermal Spring Colonnade to the Zander Hall at the Kaiserbad, offering audiences an interdisciplinary experience that celebrates both cinematic storytelling and musical artistry.
Festival organizers emphasize that Karlovy Vary Variations is designed not only as entertainment but also as an exploration of cultural dialogue, highlighting the interplay between music and film while situating the city itself as an integral part of the experience.
Exclusive screenings of international films
The cinematic portion of the festival showcases recent works from internationally acclaimed filmmakers. Father Mother Sister Brother, directed by Jim Jarmusch, opens the film program on Nov. 22 at the Kaiserbad. Awarded at this year’s Venice Film Festival, the film presents three subtly humorous episodes exploring family dynamics across the northeastern United States, Dublin, and Paris. Jarmusch’s characteristic contemplative style is complemented by performances from Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps, and Cate Blanchett.
Later the same day, Nouvelle Vague (pictured at top) by Richard Linklater screens at the Kaiserbad, a narrative film that pays homage to Jean-Luc Godard and the French New Wave. The Cannes premiere celebrates the visual and narrative energy of iconic figures such as Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo, capturing the rebellious spirit of 1960s French cinema while offering contemporary audiences a meditation on filmmaking itself.
The evening concludes with Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, which follows the Italian president Mariano de Santis, played by Venice Best Actor winner Toni Servillo, as he navigates complex ethical dilemmas near the end of his term. The 133-minute film, noted for Sorrentino’s restrained visual opulence, balances political intrigue with personal reflection, offering a meditation on power, morality, and human behavior.
Classical music in distinctive Karlovy Vary venues
Alongside the film screenings, the festival’s concert program highlights the versatility and historical depth of classical music. Performances are staged in unconventional locations, enhancing the sensory impact of the music and creating a dialogue with the city’s architecture. Friday evening’s program, titled Variations Between Film and Music, features works by Korngold, Mozart, Janáček, and William Walton, performed by the Czech Philharmonic under American conductor Keith Lockhart.
Earlier in the day, the Zander Hall hosts Wind Echoes of the Classics, a wind octet comprising members of the Czech Philharmonic and Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, performing compositions by Hummel, Beethoven, and Prokofiev. Free public broadcasts of Czech Radio Vltava’s Akcent LIVE provide a discussion on the international image of Czech culture, reinforcing the festival’s broader cultural mission.
Saturday offers further musical highlights, including Jan Mráček and the Musical Romantics performing Schubert and Mendelssohn Bartholdy, as well as a symbolic performance of Dvořák’s works at the Postal Court, marking the site’s historical connection to the composer. These performances, combined with the curated film program, underscore the festival’s commitment to exploring the interplay between cinematic and musical forms.
The Karlovy Vary Variations festival continues to position the city as a hub of cultural exchange, offering international audiences the opportunity to experience contemporary cinema in concert with classical music. By situating film screenings and concerts within iconic venues, the festival fosters a multidimensional appreciation of artistic expression and solidifies Karlovy Vary’s status as a unique destination for cultural tourism.
For the full program and additional details, check out the official Variations website.
